5B55

ICD-11 MMS 2026-01

Vitamin A deficiency

Description

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is defined as a state in which tissue concentrations of vitamin A are low enough to have adverse health consequences even if there is no evidence of clinical xerophthalmia. The term xerophthalmia encompasses the clinical spectrum of ocular manifestations of vitamin A deficiency, from milder stages of night blindness and Bitot’s spots, to potentially blinding stages of corneal xerosis, ulceration and necrosis (keratomalacia). In addition to the specific signs and symptoms of xerophthalmia and the risk of irreversible blindness, nonspecific symptoms include increased morbidity and mortality, poor reproductive health, increased risk of anaemia, and contributions to slowed growth and development.

Inclusions

  • Hypovitaminosis A

Exclusions from above levels

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  • NF07.0 – starvation
  • 18 – Pregnancy, childbirth or the puerperium
  • http://id.who.int/icd/entity/1004987305 – Transitory endocrine or metabolic disorders specific to fetus or newborn

Child codes

  • 5B55.0 – Vitamin A deficiency with night blindness
  • 5B55.1 – Vitamin A deficiency with conjunctival xerosis
  • 5B55.2 – Vitamin A deficiency with conjunctival xerosis and Bitot's spots
  • 5B55.3 – Vitamin A deficiency with corneal xerosis
  • 5B55.4 – Vitamin A deficiency with corneal ulceration or keratomalacia
  • 5B55.5 – Vitamin A deficiency with xerophthalmic scars of cornea or blindness
  • 5B55.Y – Vitamin A deficiency with other specified manifestations
  • 5B55.Z – Vitamin A deficiency, unspecified

Foundation children elsewhere

  • 3A03.5 – Acquired vitamin A deficiency anaemia

Sibling codes

  • 5B50 – Underweight in infants, children or adolescents
  • 5B51 – Wasting in infants, children or adolescents
  • 5B52 – Acute malnutrition in infants, children or adolescents
  • 5B53 – Stunting in infants, children or adolescents
  • 5B54 – Underweight in adults
  • 5B56 – Vitamin C deficiency
  • 5B57 – Vitamin D deficiency
  • 5B58 – Vitamin E deficiency
  • 5B59 – Vitamin K deficiency
  • 5B5A – Vitamin B1 deficiency
  • 5B5B – Vitamin B2 deficiency
  • 5B5C – Vitamin B3 deficiency
  • 5B5D – Vitamin B6 deficiency
  • 5B5E – Folate deficiency
  • 5B5F – Vitamin B12 deficiency
  • 5B5G – Biotin deficiency
  • 5B5H – Pantothenic acid deficiency
  • 5B5J – Choline deficiency
  • 5B5K – Mineral deficiencies
  • 5B70 – Essential fatty acid deficiency
  • 5B71 – Protein deficiency
  • 5B7Y – Other specified undernutrition
  • 5B7Z – Unspecified undernutrition

Foundation entity

Vitamin A deficiency – http://id.who.int/icd/entity/435342452

Allowed postcoordination axes

Part of: 05: Endocrine, nutritional or metabolic diseases