5B55.2

ICD-11 MMS 2026-01

Vitamin A deficiency with conjunctival xerosis and Bitot's spots

Description

Generalised conjunctival xerosis suggests advanced vitamin A deficiency. The entire conjunctiva appears dry, roughened, and corrugated, sometimes skin-like. In some individuals keratin and saprophytic bacilli accumulate on the xerotic surface, giving it a foamy or cheesy appearance. Such lesions are known as Bitot's spot. With treatment active conjunctival xerosis and Bitot's spot begin to resolve within 2-5 days. Most will disappear within 2 weeks, though a significant proportion of temporal lesions may persist, in shrunken form, for months.

Index terms

  • Vitamin A deficiency with conjunctival xerosis and Bitot's spots
  • Bitot spots in the young child
  • bitot spots
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  • conjunctival xerosis with bitot's spots

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

Sibling codes

  • 5B55.0 – Vitamin A deficiency with night blindness
  • 5B55.1 – Vitamin A deficiency with conjunctival xerosis
  • 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 entity

Vitamin A deficiency with conjunctival xerosis and Bitot's spots – http://id.who.int/icd/entity/960530623

Part of: 5B55: Vitamin A deficiency › 05: Endocrine, nutritional or metabolic diseases