Retinal-binding protein assessment and ocular changes in malnutrition

ABSTRACT

Fifty children with protein energy malnutrition [PEM], of both sexes below 3 years oof age were classified into 10% with mild degree of malnutrition, 20% of moderate and 70% of severe degree. All cases were subjected to meticulous eye examination including external ocular, slit lamp and fundus examination. 16 [32%] of children manifested eye changes and 8 [50%] patients showed hypovitaminosis A including xerosis, Bitot spots, bilateral disc pallor and keratomalacia. Children with severe degree of PEM had the highest incidence [34.3%] of eye changes. 18.2% of breast fed, 40.9% of artificially fed infants showed eye changes, with highest incidence [36.4%], among infants of age group between 6-12 months. Serum level of retinol-binding protein [RBP] in PEM children with ocular signs of vitamin A deficiency [0.95 +/- 0.15 mg/dl] was found to be significantly lower than both the control [4.04 +/- 0.64 mg/dl] cases and the PEM children [1.91 +/- 0.41] with ocular changes unrelated to vitamin A deficiency