Overview on vitamin A deficiency

• Reduced
  vision in the night or dim light; which means that they will not be able
  to distinguish outlines of images in reduced illumination. They might
  however still go on to see normally during day light hours until the night
  blindness turns into some other severe form.

• Dry
  eyes which could also lead to severe form of night blindness in which the
  outer membrane of the eye, known as conjunctiva loses its goblet cells.
  These cells perform to release mucus in the eye, to keep it lubricated.
  The loss of goblet cells results in this condition in which the eye can no
  longer produce tears. These dead or lost cells can even accumulate on the
  outer layer of the eye resembling a form of debris. This debris can easily
  lead to blindness or any other infection.

• Eye
  inflammation can also result from vitamin A deficiency. Because of the
  inflammation, the eyelids and surrounding tissues along with eyes can get
  affected. This may include corneal inflammation as well.

• The
  child or adult may experience susceptibility towards respiratory infection
  and urinary infections.

• Growth
  can be halted in children due to vitamin A deficiency.

• Skin
  might also show signs of Vitamin A deficiency. For example it may get
  rough and/or dry.

Causes of vitamin A deficiency

• The biggest reason behind Vitamin A deficiency
  is malnutrition. People who have a low intake of animal foods usually are
  at a risk of this deficiency. Animal food products and some vegetables are
  a rich source of Vitamin A.

• Breast milk contains good amount of Vitamin A
  for newborns. The mothers who don’t breast feed their children put them at
  a risk of developing Vitamin A deficiency.

• If a pregnant or lactating mother is Vitamin A
  deficient then the newborn baby is very likely going to be vitamin A
  deficient as well.

• Mal-absorption of vitamin A by the body can
  also lead to its deficiency. It can be due to sprue, celiac disease,
  obstructive jaundice, cirrhosis, giardiasis, cystic fibrosis or an over
  use of mineral oil as laxative.

• Over excretion of urine is also known to cause
  Vitamin A deficiency. Massive excretion can be caused by tuberculosis, urinary
  tract infections (UTIs), cancer, pneumonia and nephritis.

• Lack of storage ability of Vitamin A by the
  body resulting from hepatic disease also causes vitamin A deficiency.

Treatment of vitamin A deficiency

• A diet which is rich in Vitamin A is usually
  the treatment and the best prevention method of vitamin A deficiency.
  Liver, kidney, milk, cheese, cream and butter are rich sources of Vitamin
  A. Vitamin A can also be absorbed in the body through Carotene which is
  found in vegetables which have dark green vegetables. Vitamin A is also
  said to be present in fruits and vegetables that are yellow and orange in
  color.

• Food fortification also helps improve food
  quality. A lot of food stuff is fortified with Vitamin A to counteract the
  vitamin A deficiency. Both dry and oily forms of retinol acetates, and
  retinal esters can be added to fortify the product with Vitamin A. They
  are usually added to cooking oil and margarine.
• Other than the oil and margarine, Vitamin A is
  also added to sugar, cereals and milk/milk powder. If vitamin A deficiency
  is detected then it is imperative that one should start taking food
  products that are naturally rich in Vitamin A and those that have been
  fortified with it.

• Vitamin A can also be taken through medication
  in oral and injectable forms. Orally they can be taken as supplements
  after meals or with meals.