Vitamin A deficiency and excess
The Vitamin A helps to have a good vision, especially in low light. It is an important substance for reproductive function (development of sperm and growth of the placenta) and lactation.
It is located in the whole milk and liver of some animals in the form of retinol. Carotenoids are dark colored dyes found in vegetables that are transformed into a form of Vitamin A. One of the best known carotenoids is beta carotene which is also an antioxidant.
Therefore Vitamin A is also a antioxidant very powerful that serves to protect cells from damage caused by those that contribute to the development of certain diseases and degenerative processes such as aging.
- Foods rich in Vitamin A (retinol): eggs, milk and derivatives, meat, liver and cod liver oil.
- Beta-carotene is found in: carrots, cantaloupe, zucchini, oranges, apricots, broccoli, spinach and in most green leafy vegetables.
Vitamin A excess
It's also called hypervitaminosis A and it is due to having too much Vitamin A in the body. exist two types of hypervitaminosis A:
- Sharp: caused by taking an excess of Vitamin A in a short period of time
- Chronicle: take an excess of Vitamin A but during a longest periodor.
Most frequent symptoms are:
- Softening of the skull bones (called craniotabes in children)
- Osteoporosis
- Blurred vision in children
- Bone pain and numbness
- Very large fontanelles in babies
- Decreased appetite (anorexia)
- Dizziness, irritability
- nausea and vomiting
- Double vision
- Drowsiness and fatigue
- Headache (headache)
- Impotence in males
- Fragile hair and skin: hair loss, dry, yellow skin, or seborrheic dermatitis
- Swelling of breast tissue in men (gynecomastia)
- Enlargement of the liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly)
Taking too much Vitamin A during pregnancy can cause abnormal development in the fetus and malformations.
Treatment simply comprises suspension of consumption excess of Vitamin A. Most cases recover completely although, sometimes, there may be sequelae: osteoporosis, developmental delay, liver and kidney damage or prostate cancer.
The best prevention is to eat a balanced diet.
Vitamin A deficiency
The deficiency of vitamin A in our body is due to a low contribution of this vitamin in our diet. The most frequent symptoms are:
- Visual loss
- Night blindness
- Susceptibility to infection
Treatment consists of giving Vitamin A until the deficit is reversed. In some cases it can be drunk.
Always check with your doctor before taking any medication.
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Pediatric Specialist
(Updated at Apr 14 / 2024)