TCM Treatment of Vitamin A Deficiency
Vitamin A’s primary functions include participating in the formation of retinal pigment in rod cells to maintain vision under low light conditions; promoting growth and development, especially bone and tooth development; maintaining the integrity of epithelial cells, stabilizing cell membranes, enhancing resistance of skin and mucous membranes to disease; boosting immune function, promoting proliferation and function of T and B lymphocytes. The recommended daily intake ranges from 900–1500 μg (3000–5000 IU)/d. Deficiency leads to ocular, cutaneous, mucosal symptoms, and impaired immunity.
(I) Medical History
1. Investigate feeding history: long-term reliance on starchy foods; chronic gastrointestinal disorders like diarrhea or hepatitis causing malabsorption; prolonged infections such as pneumonia or tuberculosis leading to both malabsorption and increased metabolic demand.
2. Early signs often include dry eyes, reduced tear production, poor dark adaptation, or night blindness—but these may be difficult to detect in infants.
3. Increased susceptibility to respiratory, urinary, and gastrointestinal tract infections.
(II) Physical Examination
1. Ocular Findings
Dull, dry conjunctiva and cornea, reduced tears, Bitot's spots, possible brown pigmentation in bulbar conjunctiva; corneal changes may progress from dryness to opacity, softening, necrosis, ulceration, secondary infection leading to anterior chamber exudate, resulting in cataract formation affecting vision; severe cases may lead to corneal perforation, iris prolapse, or eyeball atrophy.
2. Skin and Mucous Membranes
Dry, scaly skin with keratotic papules, dull, brittle hair with shedding, ridged, lusterless, easily broken fingernails and toenails.
3. Possible delayed growth and development, malnutrition, other vitamin deficiencies.
[Therapeutic Principle]: Nourish Liver to Brighten Eyes, Tonify Blood and Activate Blood Circulation
[Postprandial Decoction] (simmered over low heat)
Pork Liver 30g, Codonopsis Radix 12g, Poria 10g, Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata 15g, Angelica Sinensis 8g, Lycii Fructus 10g
Sanshengzi 10g, Cuscutae Semen 10g, Equisetum 9g, Cicada Slough 9g, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma 12g