CONCENTRATED VITAMIN A SOLUTION
Concentration of vitamin A in the solution
1,00,000 IU per mL
Which is the oil used
Arachis oil (peanut oil)
A total of how many doses are recommended.
Nine doses till 5 years of age.
The spoon supplied with the bottle has amarking inside. This indicates a volume of 1 mL.Completely filled spoon measures 2 mL.
Whether part of NIS?
Yes
Mention the dosage schedule under NIS.
- First dose is 1 mL (1 lakh units) at 9 months of age. This is given along with the MR-1, PCV-Booster and JE-1(if applicable) which are also administered at the same age.
- Second dose is 2 mL (2 lakh units) at 16-24 months of age. This is given along with DPT and OPV boosters, MR – 2 and JE – 2 (if applicable).
- The 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th doses of 2 mL each at 6 monthly intervals beginning 6 months after the second dose
How many prophylactic doses of vitamin A should be given and till what age under the national program?
A total of nine prophylactic doses of vitamin A should be given till 5 years of age.
What should be the minimum gap between two doses of vitamin A and why?
The minimum gap between any two doses of vitamin A should be 6 months as the liver can store enough vitamin A for 6-9 months. Too frequent doses may lead to vitamin A toxicity.
How do we ensure that the health worker delivers the correct dose to the child?
Vitamin A syrup has to be administered using only the spoon which is provided with each bottle. The inner mark in the spoon indicates a volume of 1 mL which is equivalent to 1,00,000 IU and a level full spoon has a capacity of 2 mL which is equivalent to 2,00,000 IU of vitamin A.
Is the dose any different for those children who show clinical signs of vitamin A deficiency?
Administer 2,00,000 IU of vitamin A immediately after diagnosis, followed by another dose of 2,00,000 IU 1–4 weeks later.
Storage instructions
Vitamin A solution must be kept away from direct sunlight and should be used only till the expiry date printed on the bottle.
Mention natural sources of vitamin A.
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Eggs, liver, fish, and meat
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Dairy products such as milk, cheese, curd, and butter
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Fruit rich in vitamin A
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Papaya
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Mango
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Oranges
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Vegetables rich in vitamin A
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Green leafy vegetables such as spinach
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Carrots
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Pumpkin
Mention the richest natural source of vitamin A.
Fish liver oils
Mention the manifestations of vitamin A deficiency.
Ocular signs
- Night blindness (nyctalopia)
- Conjunctivalxerosis
- Bitot's spots
- Corneal xerosis
- Keratomalacia
Extraocular manifestations of vitamin A deficiency
- Follicular hyperkeratosis
- Anorexia
- Growth retardation
- Susceptibility to respiratory and intestinal infections
What is the aim of the oral vitamin A prophylaxis program?
The revised objective is to decrease the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency to below 0.5%.
What are the other strategies for achieving the reduction of vitamin A deficiency?
- Improving peoples' diet to ensure adequate intake of vitamin A rich food.
- Encourage early breastfeeding especially the colostrum which is rich in vitamin A.
- Controlling the frequency and severity of factors which contribute to vitamin A deficiency, such as measles, diarrhea, PEM, and respiratory tract infections.
References:
- Park K. Nutrition and health. In: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 24th ed. Jabalpur, India: M/S BanarasidasBhanot Publishers, 2017.
National Immunization Schedule in India; 2017
Rotavirus vaccine: ROTAVIRUS VACCINE - Rotavac
BACILLE CALMETTE GUERIN (BCG) VACCINE
IPV (INACTIVATED POLIOVIRUS VACCINE)
DT & TT Vaccines: DPT AND TT VACCINES
**Oral Polio Vaccines (OPV)**: Oral Polio Vaccines (OPV)
Measles Containing Vaccines (MCV)
JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS (JE) VACCINE
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)