The vitamin A supplement administered in Prevention of nutritional blindness in children programme contain –
**Core Concept**
The Prevention of Nutritional Blindness in Children (PNB) programme is a public health initiative aimed at preventing vitamin A deficiency-related blindness among children. Vitamin A plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the cornea, and its deficiency can lead to night blindness, corneal ulcers, and eventually blindness.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Vitamin A supplements administered in the PNB programme contain retinol, which is the active form of vitamin A. Retinol is essential for the production of rhodopsin, a protein in the retina that enables vision in low light conditions. The recommended dose of vitamin A in the PNB programme is 100,000 IU (International Units) at 9-10 months and 6-8 months of age, respectively. This high dose is necessary to rapidly increase the body's stores of retinol and prevent deficiency.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is not specified, so we cannot comment on it.
**Option B:** Not applicable in this context.
**Option C:** Not applicable in this context.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It is essential to note that the high-dose vitamin A supplementation in the PNB programme should be administered under the supervision of a healthcare worker to prevent adverse effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, and even death.
**Correct Answer: A. Retinol. Vitamin A supplement administered in the Prevention of Nutritional Blindness in Children programme contain Retinol.**