Title
Vitamin A intervention: Short-term effects of a single, oral, massive dose on iron metabolism
Author
Bloem, M.W.
Wedel, M.
van Agtmaal, E.J.
Speek, A.J.
Saowakontha, S.
Schreurs, W.H.P.
Centraal Instituut voor Voedingsonderzoek TNO
Publication year
1990
Abstract
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.
Subject
Northeast Thailand
Vitamin A supplementation
Vitamin A-iron interaction
Retinol
Anemia
Iron metabolism
Normal human
Oral drug administration
School child
Administration, Oral
Child
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Female
Human
Iron
Male
Nutritional Requirements
Nutritional Status
Rural Population
Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Thailand
Vitamin A
Vitamin A Deficiency
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TNO identifier
231115
ISSN
0002-9165
Source
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 51 (1), 76-79
Document type
article