title: Effect of massive dose vitamin A on morbidity and mortality in Indian children.
abstract: The effect of vitamin A supplementation on preschool child morbidity and mortality was assessed in a prospective double-blind placebo-controlled study around Hyderabad, India. Every six months 200,000 IU vitamin A was given to 7691 children (treatment group) whereas 8084 children received a placebo (control group). Morbidity and mortality data were collected every three months. Risk of respiratory infection was higher in children with mild xerophthalmia than in children with normal eyes. Vitamin A supplementation had no effect on morbidity status. Mortality rates were similar in the two groups; it was highest in children who did not receive either vitamin A or placebo. The findings suggest that vitamin A supplementation alone may not reduce child mortality.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vijayaraghavan
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Radhaiah
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Prakasam
authors.forename: K V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Sarma
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Reddy
mesh_terms: D001766:Blindness / Q000517:prevention & control; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D013997:Time Factors; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality*; D014985:Xerophthalmia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality*
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A