Vitamin A supplementation under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Blindness is given to children in India as a Massive Dose Supplementation (MDS). The dose given to children 1–5 years at 6-monthly intervals is:

• A 50,000 IU orally
• B 2,00,000 IU orally ✓
• C 1,00,000 IU orally
• D 3,00,000 IU orally

Explanation

For children aged 1–5 years, Vitamin A MDS is 2,00,000 IU (200,000 IU) orally every 6 months (at 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60 months). The first dose of 1,00,000 IU is given at 9 months with measles vaccine. For children 6–11 months (in high-risk areas), a single dose of 1,00,000 IU is given. Vitamin A deficiency is the most common preventable cause of blindness in children under 5.

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.