Vitamin A deficiency in chronic kidney disease patients attending a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background Patients with Chronic kidney Disease are at the risk of developing a deficiency or excess of one or more micronutrients because of inadequate intake, interference of micronutrient absorption either by drug or uremic toxins, altered metabolism or loss or gain during dialysis. This aspect has been poorly explored as far as Vitamin A status is concerned. Objectives To find out the extent of Vitamin A deficiency in Chronic kidney Disease patients. To pinpoint the role of diet in the occurrence of vitamin A deficiency in Chronic kidney Disease patients. Setting A Tertiary Care Hospital setup in Northern India. Subjects One hundred and seventy five incident cases of Chronic kidney Disease. Results Fifty eight (33.14%) subjects had manifestations of vitamin A deficiency. Average vitamin A intake (IU/day) was 944.058±1824.7 which was 39.4% of recommended dietary allowance (RDA). Vitamin A intake of CKD subjects in stage III (1766.0±26.60) was significantly more than those with CKD stage IV (891.84±18.14) and stage V (491.70±860.47). All CKD patients with manifestations of vitamin A deficiency had vitamin A intake less than RDA. Extent of night blindness in subjects belonging to socioeconomic status (SES) very low plus low, lower middle, middle, upper middle and high were 30.30% 28.00%, 25.00%, 12.9% and 9.1%, respectively Conclusion Vitamin A deficiency is high in CKD patients primarily due to dietary inadequacy of vitamin A. The findings of the study calls for more in-depth multicentre research to have insight in management of patients of CKD with vitamin A deficiency.