A population-based study of xerophthalmia in the extreme North Province of Cameroon, West Africa.
OBJECTIVE
To obtain cross-sectional data on clinical and nutritional vitamin A deficiency from which to design appropriate intervention strategies.


METHODS
A population-based survey using multistage, cluster sampling.


METHODS
Extreme North Province of Cameroon, West Africa.


METHODS
Children aged 0 to 5 years.


METHODS
Clinical signs of active xerophthalmia and dietary vitamin A intake.


RESULTS
Of 5352 children examined, signs of active xerophthalmia were noted in 0.62%. Bitot's spots, corneal xerosis, and corneal ulceration were noted in 0.47%, 0.06%, and 0.12% of the subjects, respectively. Children with xerophthalmia had lower vitamin A intake scores when compared with age-matched controls and with a 20% systematic subsample of children.


CONCLUSIONS
Xerophthalmia is a major public health problem in this region.
Wilson
M R
MR
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, Calif., USA.
Mansour
M
M
Atud
A E
AE
Casey
R
R
Fobi
G
G
Moukouri
E
E
Alemayehu
W
W
Martone
J F
JF
Ross-Degnan
D
D
D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D004032:Diet; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D014985:Xerophthalmia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology
D014801:Vitamin A