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Vitamin A - Targeted Supplementation

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August 20, 2017

What is the issue?

Some scientists have vouched for a targeted supplementation program for vitamin A. 

Why is Vitamin A supplementation required?

  • In the mid-1960s, prevalence of night blindness and a high mortality among infants were observed to be due to Vitamin A deficiency.
  • To address this issue, ‘National Prophylaxis Programme against Nutritional Blindness due to Vitamin A Deficiency’ (NPPNB due to VAD) was launched in 1970.
  • Under this program, children aged 6-60 months are administered vitamin A every six months in doses of 60 mg, as per World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.
  • The supplementation programme is often credited for reducing childhood mortality by as much as 23% and bringing down incidence of vitamin A-associated blindness greatly.
  • Though not as severe as before, many children could be on the borderline and hence the continuance of the program is warranted even after 4 decades.

Why is targeted intervention being discussed?

  • WHO recommended supplementation when Vitamin A deficiency is 20% or higher.
  • But, due to the high prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in the 1970s, Indian took to universal coverage for the program, irrespective of nutritional status.
  • With the scenario completely changed now, some scientists now argue for a targeted approach as a means to reduce costs and make the program more effective.  
  • There have also been studies on vitamin A toxicity and related deaths due to the universal supplement program.
  • These issues and the improving nutritional standards among infants in India do call for a targeted program rather than the current model.

 

Source: The Hindu

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