An 18-month-old child recovering from measles presents with bilateral corneal liquefaction and melting involving the full thickness of the cornea. The WHO-recommended regimen of vitamin A therapy for severe corneal xerophthalmia at this age is:
- A 200,000 IU orally on day 1, repeated on day 2 and again 2 weeks later ✓
- B A single intramuscular dose of 200,000 IU
- C 50,000 IU orally daily for seven days
- D 200,000 IU orally once weekly for six weeks
Correct answer: A. 200,000 IU orally on day 1, repeated on day 2 and again 2 weeks later
Explanation
For children above 6 months of age with corneal xerophthalmia, WHO advises 200,000 IU of vitamin A orally immediately, the same dose the next day, and a third dose two weeks later; younger infants receive half the dose. The repeat doses replenish exhausted liver stores and prevent relapse, which is exactly why the single-dose regimens offered as distractors are inadequate.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.