A 210-μmol dose of vitamin A provides more prolonged impact on vitamin A status than 105 μmol among preschool children

J. H. Humphrey, G. Natadisastra, Muhilal, D. S. Friedman, J. M. Tielsch, K. P. West, A. Sommer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted to determine the relative protection afforded by two large doses of vitamin A against subclinical vitamin A deficiency among 345 preschool children. At baseline, children either had or were at high risk of developing non-corneal xerophthalmia. Vitamin A status was assessed by the relative dose response (RDR) test, serum retinol concentration, and ocular examination before and 3 and 6 mo following one oral dose of 105 μmol or 210 μmol of vitamin A. At 3 and 6 mo, mean serum retinol concentration was significantly higher in the 210-μmol group than in the 105-μmol group. The proportion of children with a positive RDR did not differ between groups at 3 mo, but by 6 mo there were three times more children positive in the 105-μmol group. Most of the observed difference was confined to children with xerophthalmia at baseline. The relative benefit of the 210-μmol dose was related to baseline vitamin A status. The current World Health Organization recommended prophylactic dose of 210 μmol seems appropriate.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1172-1178
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Nutrition
Volume124
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 1994

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

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