Prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in school children aged 6-16 years in Taoru Tehsil of South Haryana

Abstract

Background: Sufficient data on occurrence of ocular morbidities associated with vitamin A deficiency (VAD) amongst school children was not available. Hence this study was aimed to evaluate the prevalence of clinical forms of vitamin A deficit among the primary school children in relation to socio-economical status and BMI associated risks related to VAD. Methods: A randomized sampling study was designed among school children of 6-16 years of age after taking consent form from principal and teachers of different schools in Taoru Tehsil of South Haryana. A predesigned performa was used to collect the information. Results: Total 300 school children were examined for VAD, out of which 157 (52.3%) were boys and 143 (47.7%) were girls. Among the school children 53 (13.7%) students were under the age group of 6-11 years and 247 (86.3%) students were 12-16 years. Prevalence of VAD was observed in17 (5.7%) students, among them1 (0.3%) was associated with night blindness, 1(0.3%) conjunctival xerosis and 14 (5%) with bitots spot. Among 17 VAD suspects 13 (76.5%) were girls and 4 (23.5%) were boys. According to modified Kuppuswamy scale of Socio-economic status 48 (16%) students belongs to class III, 229 (76.33%) students from class IV and 23 (7.66%) students from class V. Out of 17 VAD suspects 2 (11.76%) belongs to class III, 14 (82.35%) belongs to class IV and 1 (5.88%) belongs to class V. Out of 17 VAD suspects all 17 (100%) were underweight. Conclusions: Socio-economic status and BMI index were closely associated with VAD. Prevention, early recognition, prompt treatment of ocular diseases by regular screening of students and nutritional education in schools would definitely decreases the risk of ocular abnormalities.