Difference between revisions of "Team:Paris Bettencourt/Background"
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<h3>Vitamin A Deficiency</h3> | <h3>Vitamin A Deficiency</h3> | ||
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<br>Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is, along with iron, iodine and zinc deficiencies, one of the most prevalent and severe micronutrient deficiencies in the world. | <br>Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is, along with iron, iodine and zinc deficiencies, one of the most prevalent and severe micronutrient deficiencies in the world. | ||
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People whose diets are mostly based on starchy foods like rice are especially at risk, as these foods do not contain retinol (vitamin A) or provitamin A (carotenoids). | People whose diets are mostly based on starchy foods like rice are especially at risk, as these foods do not contain retinol (vitamin A) or provitamin A (carotenoids). | ||
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Symptoms of vitamin A deficiency include xerophthalmia (extreme dryness of the eyes), night blindness, retinal degeneration, cancer, impaired immune response, birth defects and death. | Symptoms of vitamin A deficiency include xerophthalmia (extreme dryness of the eyes), night blindness, retinal degeneration, cancer, impaired immune response, birth defects and death. | ||
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13.8 million children have some degree of vision loss related to vitamin A deficiency. | 13.8 million children have some degree of vision loss related to vitamin A deficiency. | ||
It is estimated that 250,000,000 preschool children have a vitamin A deficiency. Of those 250 million, 500,000 become blind every year. | It is estimated that 250,000,000 preschool children have a vitamin A deficiency. Of those 250 million, 500,000 become blind every year. | ||
Half of the children who become blind die within 12 months. | Half of the children who become blind die within 12 months. | ||
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Latest revision as of 17:18, 13 November 2015