Early detection of vitamin A deficiency in children with persistent diarrhoea

Dynamics of conjunctival impression cytologic changes after vitamin A supplementation

“…Carlier et al (1992) reported that only 46 % of subjects showing abnormal CIC had converted to normal 2 months after supplementation with vitamin A. Usha et al (1990) reported conversion of abnormal CIC to normal in sixteen children with persistent diarrhoea within 15-20 d after vitamin A supplementation. Children with acute deficiency of vitamin A may show conversion earlier than those w i t h chronic deficiency owing to their comparatively exhausted reserves.…”

“…Conjunctival impression cytology (CIC) is an alternative method for detection of vitamin A deficiency even in the pre-clinical stage (Amedee-Manesme et al Natadisastra et al 1988). However, to determine the change in vitamin A status, CIC needs to be done at an appropriate interval after supplementation with vitamin A. Natadisastra et al (1987,1988), Amedee-Manesme et al (1988), Usha et al (1990), and Carlier et al (1992) repeated CIC at a fixed interval ranging from 2 weeks to 6 months following one or two massive doses of oral vitamin A. Information about the time interval at which CIC changes take place is not available.…”