What happens if a child is deficient in vitamin A?

What happens if a child is deficient in vitamin A?

Deficiency of vitamin A is associated with significant morbidity and mortality from common childhood infections, and is the world’s leading preventable cause of childhood blindness. Vitamin A deficiency also contributes to maternal mortality and other poor outcomes of pregnancy and lactation.

How do you treat vitamin A deficiency in children?

Treatment for subclinical VAD includes the consumption of vitamin A–rich foods, such as liver, beef, chicken, eggs, fortified milk, carrots, mangoes, sweet potatoes, and leafy green vegetables. For VAD syndromes, treatment includes daily oral supplements, as follows: Children aged 3 years or younger – 600 mcg (2000 IU)

What causes vitamin A deficiency in kids?

Causes include dietary insufficiency, malabsorption, or increased utilization or excretion due to common illnesses. Stressors such as diarrhea, measles and pneumonia can decrease vitamin A levels and lead to disease.

What food has a lot of vitamin A?

Food Sources

• Leafy green vegetables (kale, spinach, broccoli), orange and yellow vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and other winter squash, summer squash)
• Tomatoes.
• Red bell pepper.
• Cantaloupe, mango.
• Beef liver.
• Fish oils.
• Milk.
• Eggs.

How do I know if my toddler needs vitamins?

Talk with your child’s doctor if you’re concerned about whether your child is getting the recommended level of vitamins and minerals. A multivitamin might be helpful for your child if he or she: Has a delay in physical and developmental growth (failure to thrive) Has certain chronic diseases or food allergies.

Which foods contain vitamin A?

Can you test for vitamin A deficiency?

The vitamin A test measures the level of vitamin A in the blood. Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.

Which fruit is rich in vitamin A?

yellow, red and green (leafy) vegetables, such as spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes and red peppers. yellow fruit, such as mango, papaya and apricots.

How do you fix vitamin A deficiency?

The treatment for mild forms of vitamin A deficiency includes eating vitamin A-rich foods – eg, liver, beef, oily fish, chicken, eggs, fortified milk, carrots, mangoes, sweet potatoes and leafy green vegetables.

What vegetable has the most vitamin A?

Spinach
Spinach is known as a nutrient powerhouse for a reason. A single half-cup serving of spinach contains more than 570 mcg of vitamin A. Whether you’re eating it raw, in a smoothie, or cooked into a dish, spinach is a great way to get fiber and vitamin A at the same time.