Bitot's spots is a deficiency of?

Appeared in: DSSSB - 28 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

Bitot's spots are a definitive clinical sign of advanced Vitamin A deficiency.
These spots are triangular, foamy, whitish-yellow patches that appear on the bulbar conjunctiva (the white part of the eye).
They are formed by the buildup of keratin and dead epithelial cells on the eye surface, a process called keratinization.
This occurs because Vitamin A is essential for maintaining the health and normal differentiation of epithelial tissues, including the conjunctiva.
Their presence indicates a significant and prolonged lack of Vitamin A, often seen in malnourished children.

Option A: Vitamin D deficiency primarily affects calcium and bone metabolism.
Option B: Vitamin B₆ (pyridoxine) deficiency is mainly associated with neurological symptoms, dermatitis, and a specific type of anemia (microcytic anemia).
Option C: Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of clotting factors in the liver.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Clinical manifestations of vitamin deficiencies as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Recognizing Bitot's spots is a critical nursing assessment skill, as it is a visible and specific sign of advanced Vitamin A deficiency and malnutrition, especially in pediatric patients.
A nurse's role includes nutritional screening, patient education on dietary sources of Vitamin A (e.g., leafy greens, yellow/orange fruits and vegetables, liver, fortified foods), and administering supplements as prescribed.
In the Indian context, the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Blindness includes Vitamin A supplementation for children to combat deficiency-related blindness.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question stem: 'Bitot's spots'.
This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of specific clinical signs related to nutritional deficiencies.
Access your memory of vitamins and their associated deficiency diseases.
Systematically evaluate each option: Vitamin D is linked to bone health (rickets), Vitamin B₆ to neurological and skin issues, and Vitamin K to blood clotting.
Recall that Vitamin A is crucial for vision and the health of epithelial tissues. Ocular signs are classic manifestations of its deficiency.
Connect 'Bitot's spots' directly to Vitamin A deficiency, as it is a hallmark sign.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Qa5QrfaUfgbngdxsWLV_wT

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-232 of 464) p. 151-153

E6 Textbook of Biochemistry for medical StudentsDM Vasudevan Part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-239 of 478) p. 121-123

Practise the full DSSSB - 28 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.