NightBlindness during pregnancy in Nepal: Links to nutrition and health

P. Christian, K. P. West, Subarna Khatry, L. E. Pradhan, S. Leclerq, R. J. Stoltzfijs, J. Katz, M. E. Hartley, S. R. Shrestha

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Night blindness (XN) occurs in an estimated 10-20% of pregnant women in rural Nepal. Risk factors for XN during pregnancy were assessed using a matched case-control design in the south eastern plains of Nepal. Cases were XN pregnant women identified through a surveillance system and verified by an interview. Randomly selected non-XN controls were matched for months of gestation. Cases and controls (N=90 pairs) were interviewed and examined at home soon after being identified. Controls were more likely (95% CI>1) to have consumed milk (Odds Ratio=2.4), whey (OR=1.2), mangoes (OR=7), and dark green leaves (OR=2.4) in the previous week. Serum retinol of cases was 10 ng/dl lower than the controls (p< 0001), and was associated with intakes of vitamin A foods. Weight, mid arm circumference and Hb levels of cases were also significantly lower in cases. XN women were more likely to report a poor appetite (OR=3.0), nausea(OR=3.5), diarrhea (OR=3.0), painful urination (OR=2.2), and lower abdominal pain (OR- 2.0). XN during pregnancy appears to be related to vitamin A deficiency, anemia and increased risk of morbidity thus posing a significant risk to women's reproductive health and nutrition. Funded by USAID Office of Health & Nutrition, Washington DC.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)A246
JournalFASEB Journal
Volume10
Issue number3
StatePublished - 1996

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

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