Primary 2 Student Suffers Total Blindness After Years Of Eating Nuggets & Sausages
A doctor has advised parents to ensure their children eat balanced meals.
By May Vin Ang — 15 Jan 2025, 05:26 PM
A Primary 2 student in Malaysia has suffered irreversible total blindness as a result of eating only processed foods
The case was shared by a medical doctor, Dr Erna Nadia, on Facebook as a cautionary tale, advising parents to ensure their children eat balanced meals.
Dr Erna said the 8-year-old student's blindness occurred suddenly at school, shocking their teacher and classmates.
"Teacher, why can't I see anything?" the young child was said to have suddenly exclaimed.
The teacher quickly informed the student's parents and the child was immediately rushed to the hospital.
Dr Erna said after extensive tests and examinations, the student's diagnosis was devastating: total blindness due to severe Vitamin A deficiency
The medical team discovered that the malnourished child had completely lost their vision in both eyes, and tragically, the condition was irreversible.
"When the dietitian investigated, it turned out that the child had only been eating processed foods: nuggets, sausages, and cookies, from infancy up until second grade," she wrote.
The doctor stressed that the diet lacked fruits, vegetables, or other nutrient-rich foods, and warned that the case occurred in an urban area with educated parents.
However, she said busy professionals often prioritise the convenience of processed foods over nutritious meals, not realising that their poor dietary choices could lead to severe consequences for their children.
What is Vitamin A deficiency?
Vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy vision, immune function, and overall growth. A lack of this vital nutrient can lead to dry eyes, difficulty seeing in low light, and, in extreme cases, permanent blindness.
Early symptoms include grayish spots on the whites of the eyes, reduced tear production, and poor night vision.
Vitamin A is naturally found in foods such as spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes, mangoes, papayas, apricots, egg yolks, chicken, and fish. These are accessible, affordable options that can easily be incorporated into daily meals.
Dr Erna said the case serves as a reminder to parents and caregivers about the dangers of relying on processed foods
While these foods are convenient, they lack the essential nutrients required for a child's development.
"Even if we are busy and cannot cook every day, we should strive to provide proper, balanced meals for our children," she advised. "Simple meals like chicken rice or noodle soup are far better than relying solely on processed foods."
She added that while supplements are helpful, they are not a replacement for real, wholesome foods.
She said it is crucial for parents to instil healthy eating habits early on and ensure their children's diets are rich in essential nutrients.
