Vitamin A deficiency in pre-school age Congolese children during malarial attacks. Part 1: Utilisation of the impression cytology with transfer in an equatorial country.

The vitamin A status of 454 pre-school age Congolese children was evaluated by the impression cytology method with transfer (ICT) and by the determination of plasma retinol. The absence of goblet cells and the presence of enlarged epithelial cells indicate a peripheral deficit of vitamin A. A level of plasma retinol lower than 10 micrograms/dl is an indicator of vitamin A deficiency. The subjects were children in good health or suffering from malaria, measles or various infectious diseases. Advantages, disadvantages, sensitivity and specificity of the ICT are discussed. We suggest its use in a mass screening program for vitamin A deficiency in developing countries.