La hipovitaminosis A: Un problema nutricional colectivo en Chile

Abstract

Of all nutrients the greatest deficiency in the Chilean diet is in vitamin A and there are not programs intended to correct this situation. This is shown by data on ingestion, signs of deficiency, and serum levels observed in studies of representative groups of the population, broken down by socio-economic levels and physiological conditions, covering 8,426 persons (7,033 adults; 950 pregnant women; 226 wet nurses; and 217 preschool-age children)

Of the 7,033 adults the average daily intake of vitamin A ranged from 1,324 to 8,000 I.U. and although only 27.3 per cent exceeded 5,000 I.U., no serious ocular lesions were observed. In 542 Pehuenche Indians with an average daily intake of 1,324 I.U. of vitamin A, the serum level was 19 gammas per cent and with low serum levels in 63 per cent of the cases; 48.8 per cent of them were found to be suffering from xerophthalmia

In the 950 pregnant women the average daily intake was 4,793 I.U.; only 30 per cent received more than 6,000 units. No xerophthalmia was observed but 22 per cent suffered from perifoliocular hyperkeratosis

Although in 226 wet nurses the average intake was lower (2,958 I.U.) there was nevertheless no xerophthalmia and only 33.2 per cent suffered from hyperkeratosis

Vitamin A deficiency has been little studied in children although isolated cases of xerophthalmia have been described and serum levels of 14.9 gammas per cent of ...(AU)