Fat-Soluble Vitamins (Deficiencies)

• Reduces the rate of growth in children.
• Due to lack of rhodopsin produced it may result in night blindness. This can be reversed by increasing intakes.
• Affects the health of the skin and resistance to infection is lowered due to the poor condition of the respiratory tract.
• When deficiency is severe, the tear glands may become blocked and the eye will become very dry. This is known as xerophthalmia.
• Severe and prolonged deficiency can result in ulceration of the cornea causing blindness.

Risk factors for deficiency:

• Vegan/ very low fat diets
• Fat malabsorbtion e.g. cystic fibrosis.
• Cereal grains as there staple food.

• Children may develop rickets. 
• Bones fail to absorb Calcium and soften. The long bones bend under the weight of the body.
• Adults may develop osteomalacia. The bones become soft, weak and painful.
• Increased risk of osteoporosis in elderly/housebound.
• Muscle weakness and Growth failure.
• Possible tetany.

Risk factors for deficiency:

• Inadequate dietary intake.
• Limited sun exposure/excessive use of suncream.
• Strict vegan diet.
• Babies
• City dwellers
• Elderly
• Darker-skinned people
• The Asian population
• Poor Absorbtion

• Deficiency is rare.
• The amount of Tocopherol required is related to the amount of PUFA consumed.
• Symptoms include oedema and neurological symptoms.
• Risk of some cancers and CHD may be increased.
• Early studies showed evidence of infertility in rats.

Risk Factors for deficiency:

• Premature babies fed on formula with inadequate Tocopherol levels.
• Those who have a disorder of fat absorbtion or fat transport.
• Those on a low fat diet.

• A deficiency is rare.
• Babies with a deficinecy are at risk of excessive, spontaneous bleeding, known as Haemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn (HDN)
• In adults, a deficinecy will result in an increased tendency to bleed.

Risk Factors for Deficiency:

• Babies, especially if they are premature.
• Those with ppor absorbtion of fat due to liver or pancreatic disease or coeliac disease.
• Chronic user of laxatives and a poor intake, such as those with anorexia.
• Long term users of antibiotics.