Abstract
A prototype scotopic sensitivity machine was used to evaluate pupillary and visual thresholds for 295 Indonesian children aged 1-5 y, most of whom were initially vitamin A-deficient. Subjects were tested 6 and 9 mo after receiving a high dose of vitamin A. A group of 136 older children was tested at 6 mo after dosing; all subjects underwent testing at 9 mo. After testing at 9 mo, children randomly received either a second high dose of vitamin A or placebo and were tested a final time 2 wk later. Children with abnormal pupillary thresholds had significantly higher relative dose responses (RDRs) (P < 0.01) and significantly lower serum retinol values (P = 0.05) than did normal children. The mean pupillary threshold rose (eg, retinal sensitivity fell) as vitamin A status deteriorated between 6 and 9 mo after initial dosing, and was significantly different from a group of normal American children tested previously (P < 0.001). After placebo-controlled dosing, the decline in pupillary and visual thresholds (rise in retinal sensitivity) was significant for children receiving vitamin A but not for children receiving placebo.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1076-1082 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | American Journal of Clinical Nutrition |
Volume | 61 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 1995 |
Keywords
- Scotopic sensitivity
- assessment
- dark adaptation
- population
- pupillary reflex
- survey
- visual threshold
- vitamin A deficiency
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
- Nutrition and Dietetics