Waqar Azim, Haleema Shafi, Tariq Shaikh, Khalid Ahmed, Anjum lqbal, Amir Hussain Khan, Mehboob Alam Shah.
Vitamin A analysis and its clinical significance.
Pak Armed Forces Med J Jan ;49(1):58-60.

Vitamin A has a key role in dark adaptation, maintenance of structural and functional integrity of epithelium and adjuvant action in immune system. Its deficiency leads to blindness, xerophthalmia and increased susceptibility to recurrent respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. There are different methods of Vit A analysis like High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Ultraviolet (UV) range spectrophotometry and Fluorimetry etc. Aims and objectives of current study were to establish a simple and reliable method of Vit A analysis and to correlate it clinically. One hundred children ranging from 6 months to 4 years were selected from nutrition clinics of Rawalpindi General Hospital for the study. Blood was drawn in plain tubes and sera were separated immediately and stored at -20 °C, protected from light. Batch analysis was performed using principle of Vit A extraction by n-heptane and UV absorptiometry at 327 nm was performed on semi automated spectrophotometer. Out of 100 malnourished children 37 had low Vit A levels (<20 mcg/dl) and 32 patients had borderline Vit A levels (20-30 mcg/dl). This shows the importance of screening, diagnosis and monitoring of Vit A levels for its prompt replacement. This will avoid serious life threatening complications resulting from Vit A deficiency.

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