RESUMO
Although in the last decade outstanding research workers have published important reports on their studies, there is still not satisfactory work dealing with the clinical pathology of xerophthalmia
The essential feature of this disease and of hypovitaminosis A in man is xerosis whose ocular manifestations are roughness, rigidity, opacity, pigmentation, dryness, and absence of tearing
After reviewing the clinical and epidemiological evidence on the function of vitamin A in man and leaving aside the arguments provided by the concentrations of retinol and carotene in the serum and the tissues as well as histological studies, it appears that:
The only inequivocable clinical proof is epithelial changes in the external surface of the eye and functional changes of the retina
Epithelial xerosis of the conjunctiva and the cornea are due to keratinizing metaplasia which may be considered a differentiating regression. The exposed parts of the eye socket are especially affected. Hyperpigmentation typical of these parts is a secondary effect
After weaning, the dietetic problem is related to the ingestion and utilization of carotene rather than of retinol
The most commonly affected age group among the poor is children between the ages of 2 and 4; they are affected slightly later than the victims of protein malnutrition
Night blindness and xerophthalmia are often closely related; only during pregnancy ...(AU)
Assuntos
Xeroftalmia/diagnóstico , Xeroftalmia/epidemiologia , Cegueira Noturna/diagnóstico , Distúrbios Nutricionais , Programas de Nutrição , Índia , Egito , ÁfricaRESUMO
The purpose of this study was to review the problem of nutritional disorders of the eye; with that end in view, surveys were carried out between July 1962 and March 1963 in South and East Asia, in the Near East and Northern Africa, and in Mexico, Central America, and South America. The authors first examine the sources of information used, which included replies to specially prepared questionnaires; government statistics and hospital records; surveys (cases of xerophthalmia might be detected during the course of surveys of infectious diarrhea, especially shigellosis); vernacular names for this condition; and personal observations of the consultants. On analyzing the epidemiological aspects the authors point out that climatic conditions have less influence on the occurrence of xerophthalmia than might at first be thought; more important is the correct use of available foods. On the other hand, studies made in Vietnam showed that seasonal variations do have a significant influence, especially in places where changes in climate are more marked. Among the social and economic factors which play a role in the occurrence of xerophthalmia and other nutritional disorders of childhood, attitudes toward foods and especially their suitability for young children, mal-distribution of food in the family and the abandonment of breast feeding among the economically insecure have a profound effect. Etiologic
Assuntos
Xeroftalmia/dietoterapia , Hipervitaminose ARESUMO
The purpose of this study was to review the problem of nutritional disorders of the eye; with that end in view, surveys were carried out between July 1962 and March 1963 in South and East Asia, in the Near East and Northern Africa, and in Mexico, Central America, and South America. The authors first examine the sources of information used, which included replies to specially prepared questionnaires; government statistics and hospital records; surveys (cases of xerophthalmia might be detected during the course of surveys of infectious diarrhea, especially shigellosis); vernacular names for this condition; and personal observations of the consultants. On analyzing the epidemiological aspects the authors point out that climatic conditions have less influence on the occurrence of xerophthalmia than might at first be thought; more important is the correct use of available foods. On the other hand, studies made in Vietnam showed that seasonal variations do have a significant influence, especially in places where changes in climate are more marked. Among the social and economic factors which play a role in the occurrence of xerophthalmia and other nutritional disorders of childhood, attitudes toward foods and especially their suitability for young children, mal-distribution of food in the family and the abandonment of breast feeding among the economically insecure have a profound effect. Etiologic
Publicado en inglés en el Tropical Geographic Medical 16:271-316, 1964
Assuntos
Xeroftalmia , Hipervitaminose ARESUMO
Although in the last decade outstanding research workers have published important reports on their studies, there is still not satisfactory work dealing with the clinical pathology of xerophthalmia
The essential feature of this disease and of hypovitaminosis A in man is xerosis whose ocular manifestations are roughness, rigidity, opacity, pigmentation, dryness, and absence of tearing
After reviewing the clinical and epidemiological evidence on the function of vitamin A in man and leaving aside the arguments provided by the concentrations of retinol and carotene in the serum and the tissues as well as histological studies, it appears that:
The only inequivocable clinical proof is epithelial changes in the external surface of the eye and functional changes of the retina
Epithelial xerosis of the conjunctiva and the cornea are due to keratinizing metaplasia which may be considered a differentiating regression. The exposed parts of the eye socket are especially affected. Hyperpigmentation typical of these parts is a secondary effect
After weaning, the dietetic problem is related to the ingestion and utilization of carotene rather than of retinol
The most commonly affected age group among the poor is children between the ages of 2 and 4; they are affected slightly later than the victims of protein malnutrition
Night blindness and xerophthalmia are often closely related; only during pregnancy ...(AU)
