Vitamin A Deficiency Health Article

BOOKS

Brody, T. Nutritional Biochemistry. San Diego: Academic Press, Inc., 1998.

Combs, G. The Vitamins. San Diego: Academic Press, Inc., 1992.

Food and Nutrition Board. Recommended Dietary Allowances. 10th ed. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1989.

PERIODICALS

Filteau, S. M., and A. M. Tomkins."Vitamin A Supplementation in Developing Countries." Archives of Disease in Childhood 72 (1995): 106-109.

Tom Brody, PhD

KEY TERMS

Bitot's spots—Bitot's spots are superficial, foamy gray, triangular spots on the white of the eyeball.

Carotenoids—Carotenoids are yellow to deep-red pigments.

Conjunctiva—The conjunctiva is a clear layer of cells that covers the eye and directly contacts the atmosphere. The conjunctiva is about five-cells thick.

Cornea—The cornea is a clear layer of cells that covers the eye, just under the conjunctiva. The cornea is about 50-cells thick.

Fat-soluble vitamin—Fat-soluble vitamins can be dissolved in oil or in melted fat. Water-soluble vitamins can be dissolved in water or juice.

Keratinomalacia—Keratinomalacia is ulceration of the cornea.

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)—The Recommended Dietary Allowances are quantities of nutrients in the diet that are required to maintain good health in people. RDAs are established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences, and may be revised every few years. A separate RDA value exists for each nutrient. The RDA values refer to the amount of nutrient expected to maintain good health in people. The actual amounts of each nutrient required to maintain good health in specific individuals differ from person to person.

Xerophthalmia—Xerophthalmia is a dry, thickened, lusterless condition of the eyeball resulting from vitamin A deficiency.