Vitamin A status of populations in three West African countries.

The results of food consumption surveys, epidemiological surveys (clinical and biochemical) undertaken in three sub-sahelian countries have established: - the existence of xerophthalmia in Upper Volta - a transitory vitamin A deficiency during the dry season in South Mali, without serious clinical signs - a good vitamin A status in Casamance, in South Senegal. A combined biochemical indicator which takes account of plasma carotenoids and vitamin A is recommended to assess the importance of vitamin A deficiency in a population.