- Reduces the rate of growth in children.
- Due to lack of rhodopsin produced it may result in night blindness. This can be reversed by increasing intakes.
- Affects the health of the skin and resistance to infection is lowered due to the poor condition of the respiratory tract.
- When deficiency is severe, the tear glands may become blocked and the eye will become very dry. This is known as xerophthalmia.
- Severe and prolonged deficiency can result in ulceration of the cornea causing blindness.
Risk factors for deficiency:
- Vegan/ very low fat diets
- Fat malabsorbtion e.g. cystic fibrosis.
- Cereal grains as there staple food.
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