Vitamin A deficiency presenting as night blindness during pregnancy.
We describe a patient with a 6-year history of pancreatic malabsorption following surgical subtotal pancreatectomy. She presented at 33 weeks of pregnancy with night blindness as a result of vitamin A deficiency. She had had two successful pregnancies 9 and 8 years previously, giving birth to a healthy baby boy on each occasion. We suggest that patients with long-term malabsorption due to intestinal or pancreatic disease should have vitamin A status checked prior to and during pregnancy so that prompt supplementation can be commenced if necessary. The possibility that vitamin A deficiency may be contributing to anaemia present in pregnancy should also be considered.
Livingstone
Callum
C
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, GU2 5XX, UK. clivingstone@royalsurrey.nhs.uk
Davis
Joy
J
Marvin
Vanessa
V
Morton
Karen
K
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008286:Malabsorption Syndromes / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D009755:Night Blindness / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010180:Pancreatectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
D014801:Vitamin A