Vitamin A deficiency and xerophthalmia among school-aged children in Southeastern Asia

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#adolescent #asia-southeastern #child #child-nutrition-disorders #child-preschool

Vitamin A deficiency and xerophthalmia among school-aged children in Southeastern Asia

Singh et al., 2004 | Eur J Clin Nutr | Meta Analysis

Citation

Singh V, West K P. Vitamin A deficiency and xerophthalmia among school-aged children in Southeastern Asia. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2004-Oct;58(10):1342-9

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine provisional estimates of the extent of vitamin A (VA) deficiency and xerophthalmia among school-aged children. DESIGN: Literature search of published, unpublished and website-based population survey and study reports, with country-specific imputation of prevalence rates and numbers of children affected by: (1) VA deficiency based on measured or imputed distributions of serum retinol concentration < 0.70 micromol/l (equivalent to < 20 microg/dl) and (2) xerophthalmia, by country. SETTING: Countries within the WHO South-East Asian Region. SUBJECTS: The target group for estimation was children 5-15 y of age. INTERVENTIONS: None. RESULTS: The estimated prevalence of VA deficiency is 23.4%, suggesting that there are approximately 83 million VA-deficient school-aged children in the region, of whom 10.9% (9 million, at an overall prevalence of 2.6%) have mild xerophthalmia (night blindness or Bitot's spot). Potentially blinding corneal xerophthalmia appears to be negligible at this age. CONCLUSIONS: VA deficiency, including mild xerophthalmia, appears to affect large numbers of school-aged children in South-East Asia. However, nationally representative data on the prevalence, risk factors and health consequences of VA deficiency among school-aged children are lacking within the region and globally, representing a future public health research priority.

Key Findings

The estimated prevalence of VA deficiency is 23.4%, suggesting that there are approximately 83 million VA-deficient school-aged children in the region, of whom 10.9% (9 million, at an overall prevalence of 2.6%) have mild xerophthalmia (night blindness or Bitot's spot). Potentially blinding corneal xerophthalmia appears to be negligible at this age.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition deficiency

MeSH Terms

  • Adolescent
  • Asia, Southeastern
  • Child
  • Child Nutrition Disorders
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Population Surveillance
  • Prevalence
  • Public Health
  • Risk Factors
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin A Deficiency
  • Xerophthalmia

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Vertical: vitamin-a-vision

Provenance

  • PMID: 15054414
  • DOI: (not available)
  • PMCID: Not in PMC
  • Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09