Vitamin A supplementation in children with recurrent respiratory infections
Cherian, T.; Ranjini, E.K.; Balasubramaniam, K.A.; Raghupati, P.
Indian Pediatrics 38(7): 771-775
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 11463965 Document Number: 536818
A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of vitamin A supplementation in children with recurrent respiratory infections. 61 children aged 12-60 months, 37 boys and 24 girls, with a history of recurrent respiratory infections, seen at Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India, were enrolled in the study. They were randomly allocated to receive either 200 000 IU of vitamin A in arachis oil or a placebo. In the vitamin A group the post-supplement level was significantly higher than the pre-supplement level (P=0.44). The post-supplement serum retinol levels between the 2 groups were not significantly different (P=0.457). There was no difference between the groups even when the children were stratified by pre-supplementation vitamin A level or wheezing episodes. There was also no significant difference in the mean number of outpatient clinic visits for intercurrent illnesses (2.1+or-2.4 vs. 1.34+or-1.4; P=0.17) or in the mean weight gain between the 2 groups (0.6679+or-0.66 vs. 0.7385+or-0.78 kg; P=0.72 placebo vs. vitamin A). It is concluded that the dose of vitamin A as administered in the National Vitamin A Prophylaxis Programme is not adequate to raise the retinol levels and protect children with frequent acute respiratory infections.