Blindness haunts million of toddlers

JAKARTA: A recent survey shows that a lack of vitamin A may result in five million Indonesian under-fives suffering from visual defects or blindness, says an expert.

Amy Rice of Helen Keller International said here on Tuesday that the survey was conducted based on the eating behavior of the toddlers.

She said a toddler should consume at least 350 RE (retinol equivalent) of vitamin A each day to meet his daily needs.

Blindness caused by retinol deficiency would not be able to be corrected, she said. The survey showed there was no difference between children with vitamin A deficiency who lived in rural areas and those who lived in urban areas.

The deficiency could be avoided by consuming more food containing vitamin A, such as green-leaved vegetables, orange- colored fruits, milk, meat, liver and eggs. --Antara