Elsevier

The Journal of Pediatrics

Volume 95, Issue 4, October 1979, Pages 651-656
The Journal of Pediatrics

Xerophthalmia, protein-calorie malnutrition, and infections in children1

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3476(79)80790-8Get rights and content

All children with evidence of xerophthalmia who were admitted to an inpatient facility for treatment ofsevere protein-calorie malnutrition and its complications were compared to other inpatients with severe PCM but free from signs or symptoms of vitamin A deficiency. Xerophthalmic inpatients were older and had more severe hypoproteinemia than inpatients without eye signs, and were more undernourished by anthropometric criteria than a comparison group matched for age, sex, and type of PCM. Children with more severe eye lesions were more retarded in growth than those with minimal ocular signs. All inpatients had high rates of bacterial infections, regardless of their vitamin status. However, xerophthalmic children had a highly significant increase in the rate of positive urine cultures. Mortality rates were similar in all study groups.

References (26)

  • RietzP

    On the biological role and metabolism of vitamin A

    Acta Vitaminol Enzmol

    (1971)
  • ScrimshawNS et al.

    Interactions of Nutrition and Infection

    WHO Monograph Series, No. 57

    (1968)
  • Nutrition survey of East Pakistan, March 1962–January 1964

    (1966)
  • Cited by (51)

    View all citing articles on Scopus
    1

    Supported by an International Center for Medical Research NIH grant 5 RO7 Al 10048-17 and the Cholera Research Laboratory, an autonomous organization created by an agreement between the governments of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and the United States of America. The laboratory receives basic support from these governments and from the governments of the United Kingdom and Australia.

    View full text