Vitamin A deficiency in Afghanistan.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate children 6 years old and younger, lactating mothers, and women of childbearing age for vitamin A deficiency in the districts of Kabul City, Afghanistan.


METHODS
A set number of patients selected randomly in all 13 districts of the city limits were examined between August and September 2000 for ocular signs of vitamin A deficiency.


RESULTS
Night blindness, Bitot's spot, corneal ulceration, and corneal scars were seen in increased amounts as defined by the World Health Organization among the sampled population.


CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin A deficiency is a moderate to severe public health problem in children and lactating mothers in Kabul City, Afghanistan.
Mihora
Lisa D
LD
University of Tennessee--Chattanooga Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, 975 East Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403, USA. lisamihora@yahoo.com
Jatla
Kalpana K
KK
Little
Tom
T
Campbell
Martin
M
Rahim
A
A
Enzenauer
Robert W
RW
D000328:Adult; D000346:Afghanistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009755:Night Blindness / Q000453:epidemiology; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014985:Xerophthalmia / Q000453:epidemiology