Conjunctival Impression Cytology (CIC) to Detect Sub clinical Vitamin A Deficiency : Comparison between Hilltribe and Urban Children

Somsanguan Ausayakhun, M.D., M.H.SC.*
Nobutaka Yamada, M.D., ph.D.**
Voshinori Shimizu, M.D.***
Prapatsorn Patikulsila, M.D.*
Apinya Luxruji, M.D.*
Pipat Anuchatrakul, M.D.*

* Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
** Division of Pathology, The First Hospital of Nippon Medical School, 35-5 lidabashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102, Japan.
*** Department of Ophthalmology, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113, Japan.

ABSTRACT The detection of subclinical Vitamin A deficiency by the conjunctival impression cytology (CIC) method of the hilltribe children compared to the children of urban communities of Chiang Mai were studied.

The hilltribe children had more prevalence of abnormal CIC (55%) than the urban group (29%), significantly. The abnormal CIC that more prevalence in hilltribe children than in urban group were both among in children 6 years old and younger (58% and 40%) and in children older than 6 years (54% and 17%), statistically significance.

Thai J Ophthalmol 1996 ; July - December 10 (2) : 95-101.