Global prevalence of night blindness and number of individuals affected in populations of countries at risk of vitamin A deficiency 1995-2005
Globally, night blindness affects 5.2 million preschool-age children (95% CI: 2.0-8.4 million) and 9.8 million pregnant women (95% CI: 8.7-10.8 million), which corresponds to 0.9% and 7.8% of the population at risk of VAD, respectively.
| Population groupa | Prevalence of of night blindness | Population affected | ||
| Percentb | 95% CI | Number (million) |
95% CI | |
| Preschool-age children | 0.9 | 0.3-1.5 | 5.17 | 1.99-8.38 |
| Pregnant women | 7.8 | 7.0-8.7 | 9.75 | 8.70-10.8 |
a Population subgroups: Preschool-age children (<5 years); Pregnant women (no age range defined).
b Numerator and denominator exclude countries with a 2005 GDP ≥US$ 15 000.
Source
WHO. Global prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in populations at risk 1995–2005. WHO Global Database on Vitamin A Deficiency. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2009.