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Bitot's spot
Etiology:
- vitamin A deficiency
Pathology:
- buildup of keratin superficially in the conjunctiva
- conjunctival xerophthalmia
- metaplasia of the conjunctival epithelium
- tangles of keratin admixed with gas-forming bacteria (Corynebacterium xerosis), giving the lesion its typical foamy appearance
Clinical manifestations:
- dry, superficial triangular scaly gray patch with a foamy appearance on the conjunctiva [2]
* images [2,3]
Laboratory:
- serum vitamin A is low
General
abnormal morphologic structure (malformation)
conjunctival disease
References
- Wikipedia: Bitot's spots
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitot's_spots
- Ferrari G, Vigano M (image)
Bitot's Spot in Vitamin A Deficiency
N Engl J Med 2013; 368:e29. May 30, 2013
PMID: 23718174 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMicm1205309
[Indexed for MEDLINE] Free full text
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMicm1205309
- Ram J, Jinagal J (images)
Bitot's Spots.
N Engl J Med 2018; 379:869. Aug 30, 2018
PMID: 30157394
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMicm1715354