Understanding Vitamin A Deficiency

A nutritional lack that can lead to serious health issues, including vision problems and weakened immunity.
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Nutritional Disorders | Eye Care | Public Health | Vitamin A | Dietary Sources | Night Blindness | Immune Support | Deficiency Symptoms
Prepared by Lee Cheng, reviewed by Dr. Helena Rodriguez

Vitamin A Deficiency FAQ


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What causes vitamin A deficiency?

Vitamin A deficiency also occurs because of liver disorders. Your liver stores most of your body’s vitamin A, and liver disorders can interfere with vitamin storage. Diseases and conditions that impair your intestine’s ability to absorb fat can also cause vitamin A deficiency.

What are the effects of vitamin A deficiency?

Drying, scaling, and follicular thickening of the skin and respiratory infections can result. Immunity is generally impaired. The younger the patient, the more severe are the effects of vitamin A deficiency. Growth retardation and infections are common among children. Mortality rate can exceed 50% in children with severe vitamin A deficiency.

How common is vitamin A deficiency?

An estimated 250,000 to 500,000 children become blind every year because of vitamin A deficiency. Half of these children die within a year of losing their sight. In pregnant and lactating women, vitamin A deficiency causes night blindness and may contribute to maternal mortality, due to harm to the immune (or disease-fighting) system.

What is vitamin A deficiency?

Deficiency, or a lack, of vitamin A in your body happens because of a lack of sufficient amounts of vitamin A in your diet. Over time, a lack of vitamin A means that you may develop problems with vision and be less able to fight infections. Mild forms of vitamin A deficiency may cause no symptoms but sometimes may cause tiredness (fatigue).

What are the symptoms of vitamin A deficiency?

Mild forms of vitamin A deficiency may cause no symptoms but sometimes may cause tiredness (fatigue). Both mild and severe forms of vitamin A deficiency may cause an increased risk of: Infections, including throat and chest infections, and gastroenteritis. Delayed growth and bone development in children and teenagers. Infertility. Miscarriage.

What are the complications of vitamin A deficiency?

Vitamin A deficiency can lead to ophthalmological, dermatological, and immune impairment. This activity addresses the complications of vitamin A deficiency and how to treat affected patients. Describe the metabolism of Vitamin A in the body. Identify common manifestations of Vitamin A deficiency.

Vitamin A Deficiency References

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