Xerophthalmia and ocular manifestations of vitamin A deficiency in children in high-income countries: A systematic review
Ouyang CMH, Fan L, Kandel H, Watson SL
Published in Surv Ophthalmol, Vol. 71 (6), pp. 1746-1756
Methodology
PROSPERO-registered systematic review of case reports and case series describing eye signs of vitamin A deficiency in children under 18 living in high-income countries; 43 reports, 61 cases.
Key Findings
Mean age was 9.9 years. Most advanced finding: night blindness only in 21.3%, conjunctival xerosis or Bitot's spots in 29.5%, corneal xerosis, ulceration or scarring in 29.5%. Restrictive diets were the mechanism in 75% of cases and autism the most common underlying condition (49%).
Conclusions
Vitamin A deficiency still causes severe visual impairment in children in high-income countries, particularly when diagnosis and treatment are delayed.
Limitations
Case reports only, so it cannot estimate prevalence and over-represents severe or unusual presentations.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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