Rose Bengal screening test for community diagnosis of avitaminosis a among children in a high density area of Cairo

ABSTRACT

320 Children of both sexes aged from 2 months to 10 years were randomly selected from attendants to Misr Elkadema MCH centre. Conjunctival xerosis caused by avitaminosis A was detected by Rose Bengal Test in 20.9% of children [prevalence rate 209/1000], while clinically by the professor of ophthalmology 6.2% of children were diagnosed [prevalence rate 62/1000], with a statistically significant difference of P < 0.001. Rose Bengal Test proved to be highly sensitive and specific, valid, reliable, harmless, cheap, available, simple and practical screening test to be used by paramedical personnel as well as it is the only sure single method for pre symptomatic community diagnosis of conjunctival xerosis. The study showed that the most vulnerable age group for avitaminosis A was one year of age and over [P < 0.001]. There was no significant sex difference regarding prevalence of avitaminosis A [X2 = 1.039 < d.f. =1 P > 0.05]. Dietary supplementation by vegetables and/or vitamin A capsules played a major role in the prevention of vitamin A deficiency