Dark Adaptation – An Emerging Nutritional Problem

Abstract

Vitamin-A is one of the specific nutrients which deleteriously impacts the health. The deficiency of Vitamin-A is considered to be the controllable public health problem in India and Vitamin-A Deficiency (VAD) is the most common problem which is seen in Indian slums and in many rural children. VAD is the leading cause of preventable childhood blindness in children and also increases the childhood mortality in relation with specific diseases like diarrhoea and measles. In India, nearly 25,000 children go blind every year. The major cause and risk factors are improper absorption due to worm infestation, poor cultural practices and economic constraints. Protein energy malnutrition is directly linked with Vitamin-A deficiency, so additional Vitamin-A supplementation is needed for these children in addition with regular Prophylaxis of Vitamin-A supplementation. Liver storage of Vitamin-A is considered to be the golden standard of Vitamin-A. The early signs of Vitamin-A deficiency are manifested by night blindness and Bitot’s spot. Keratomalacia is another grave medical emergency disease. Vitamin-A deficiency can be prevented by supplementation of 100000 IU at nine months of age followed by 200000 IU every six months upto five years of age. In addition, dietary diversification, fortification and promotion of breast feeding can prevent the specific deficiency. India has a huge demographic population of young children, and it is very important to prevent the specific deficiency by focusing on system strengthening thereby we can restore the sight of young children and completely we can able to eradicate the “Dark adaptation” from our country.