title: A population-based study of xerophthalmia in the extreme North Province of Cameroon, West Africa.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, Calif., USA.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mansour
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Atud
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Casey
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fobi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moukouri
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Alemayehu
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Martone
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ross-Degnan
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A