Vitamin A intervention: Short-term effects of a single, oral, massive dose on iron metabolism
article
A group of 134 school children aged 3-9 y, with signs of conjunctival xerosis, from the rural area of Sakorn Nakhon province of Northeast Thailand were selected for a controlled study on the short-term effect (2 wk) of a single, oral high dose of vitamin A on iron metabolism. After collection of the baseline data, children within villages were randomly assigned to receive the capsules (n = 65) or serve as control subjects (n = 69). Two weeks after supplementation significant increases of retinol, retinol-binding protein, hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron, and saturation of transferrin were found in the supplemented group. Ferritin concentrations did not change significantly. These short-term changes completely exclude seasonal effects and change in morbidity. This study provides evidence of a causal association between vitamin A and iron metabolism. In areas where vitamin A deficiency is endemic, periodic massive vitamin A dose programs can also improve iron status of the population.
Topics
Northeast ThailandVitamin A supplementationVitamin A-iron interactionRetinolAnemiaIron metabolismNormal humanOral drug administrationSchool childAdministration, OralChildDose-Response Relationship, DrugFemaleHumanIronMaleNutritional RequirementsNutritional StatusRural PopulationSupport, Non-U.S. Gov'tThailandVitamin AVitamin A Deficiency
TNO Identifier
231115
ISSN
00029165
Source
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 51(1), pp. 76-79.
Pages
76-79
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