By Nikhil Shrestha

INTRODUCTION OF THE
FAMILY:Location :- Sindupalchowk,
Dhotar
Total family members:- 4
Head of family:
-Dhurba Majhi
Wifes name :
-Bimala Majhi
Childrens name:
-Sagar & Sajan
Family Problem:
- Bimala suffers from Night
Blindness

Why this topic????

Bimala Majhi suffers from Night Blindness.
The diet of family members was lacking
Vitamin A rich foods.
Simple preventive measures, could
improve the health of members
drastically.
Complications, of deficiency could be
prevented through simple measures, such
as awareness, and behavioral changes.

VITAMIN A
Vitamin A consists of Retinol (pre-formed vitamin),
Retinal, Retinoic acid and -carotene (pro-vitamin)
Some of the -carotene is converted to retinol in the
intestinal mucosa.
1 mcg of retinol = 1 RE
1 mcg of - = 0.167 mcg
carotene of RE
1 mcg of other = 0.084 mcg
carotenoids of RE
1 RE = 3.333 IU of
Vit. A
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Deficiency-WHO
statistics
An estimated 250 million preschool
children are vitamin A deficient and it is
likely that in vitamin A deficient areas a
substantial proportion of pregnant
women is vitamin A deficient.
An estimated 250 000 to 500 000
vitamin A-deficient children become
BLIND EVERY YEAR, half of them DYING
within 12 months of losing their sight.

DEFICIENCY

EXTRA-OCULAR

NIGHT BLINDNESS
Lack of Vit. A FIRST causes Night blindness.
It is the inability to see in DIM LIGHT.
It occurs due to impairment in dark adaptation.
The condition may get worse if Vit. A is not
taken, especially if they suffer from diarrhoea
and other infections.

XEROPTHALMIA (dry eye)

It refers to ALL the ocular manifestations of

Vit.A deficiency.
It is a serious nutritional disorder leading to
blindness particularly in South-East Asia.
Associated risk factors include ignorance, faulty
feeding practises and infections (diarrhoea and
measles)
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TREATMENT

Vit. A deficiency should be treated urgently

Nearly ALL the early stages of Xeropthalmia can
be REVERSED by:
Timing
Immediately on diagnosis
<6months of age
6-12 months of age
>12months of age
Next day
At least 2 weeks later

Vitamin A dosage
50,000 IU
1 lakh IU
2 lakh IU
Same age specific dose
Same age specific dose
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PREVENTION & CONTROL

SHORT TERM

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Vit. A Deficiency in Nepal

Nutritional Status

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http://unicef.org.np/uploads/files/223758237632
446394-nepal-mns-survey-full-protocol-final-070

Condition of the family: She knew about the symptoms.

She was unaware of the illness.
She did not seek any medical
treatment.
There was lack of proper diet
and diet rich in Vitamin A.

Suggestions provided to the

family: I explained about the symptoms and why it
occurred.
I also explained what were the possible
outcomes, and ways of prevention.
I advised her to visit near by clinic for
treatment dose.
Gave her knowledge about, rich sources of
Vit. A. such as liver, and spinach.
And taught her the importance of control
and prevention of infectious diseases, for
her condition.