Fried-potato diet causes vitamin A deficiency in an autistic child.
A 5-year-old boy with autism developed dry eye and xerophthalmia. Serum vitamin A was undetectable. Dietary history revealed a markedly altered intake consisting of only fried potatoes and rice balls for 2 years. Fried potatoes contain no vitamin A. Autism is a multifaceted developmental disorder infrequently accompanied by abnormal eating practices. To the authors' knowledge, most children with autism who develop dietary vitamin A deficiency have consumed an excess of fried potatoes. Attention to possible vitamin A deficiency is essential when fried potatoes are consumed exclusively.
Department of General Medicine, Kanagawa Children's Medical Center, 2-138-4 Mutukawa, Minami-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 232-8555, Japan. ktanoue@kcmc.jp
Koji
K
Tanoue
Kiyoshi
K
Matsui
Tetsuya
T
Takamasu
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000150:complications*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003296:Cooking / Q000379:methods; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D019959:Feeding and Eating Disorders of Childhood / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012275:Oryza; D011198:Solanum tuberosum; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D014985:Xerophthalmia / Q000209:etiology
D014801:Vitamin A