XEROPHTHALMIA IN NORTH SUMATRA

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 29  (1) , 41-46
Abstract
During a preliminary survey on xerophthalmia in North Sumatra, Indonesia, a total of 1754 children of 0-6 yr of age were examined clinically as well as with a vital staining technique. Differences in prevalence were found between children from the rural villages, from Gunung Pamela rubber estate and from 1 Health Center and 2 kindergartens in Medan town. None of the children in the estate and in Medan had Bitot spots or acute corneal involvment; conjunctival xerosis (XIA) was found in 28% among boys and 11% among girls at the rubber estate, whereas in Medan only 1% had XIA. In the villages, the calculated minimum point prevalence rates for XIB [Bitot spots with conjunctival xerosis], X2+3 [corneal xerosis and ulceration] and XS [corneal scars] were respectively 0.29%, 0.16% and 0.45% for age-group 0-6 yr, sexes combined. According to WHO criteria xerophthalmia should be considered of public health importance in the rural area visited. The potential use of the vital staining technique in early diagnosis of xerophthalmia is discussed. WHO criteria for assessment of the magnitude of the xerophthalmia problem as well as the guidelines for xerophthalmia surveys from the International Vitamin A Consultative Group were analyzed in this survey.

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