Vitamin A supplementation and growth: a randomized community trial.
A randomized community trial was carried out in Aceh, Indonesia, 1982-1984, to assess the impact of semiannual vitamin A (VA) supplementation (60,000 micrograms RE) on preschool child growth: 229 villages were randomized to VA program and 221 to control status. One thousand thirty-two program and 980 control children aged 1-5 y were assessed and followed for 12 mo. VA program males gained an additional approximately 110 g weight at age 2-3 y (NS), 190 g at age 4 y (p less than 0.05), and 263 g at age 5 y over control males (p less than 0.01). Arm circumference and muscle area expanded 2 mm (p less than 0.05) and approximately 36 mm2 (p less than 0.05) more per year, respectively, from ages 3 to 5 y of age and more arm fat was retained at every age (p less than 0.05 at 1 and 3 y) in VA males. There were no group differences in ponderal growth for females or in linear growth for either sex. VA supplementation may improve growth where endemic deficiency exists.
West
K P
KP
International Center for Epidemiologic and Preventive Ophthalmology, Dana Center of the Wilmer Institute, Baltimore, MD.
Djunaedi
E
E
Pandji
A
A
Kusdiono
Tarwotjo
I
I
Sommer
A
A
D000465:Algorithms; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003153:Community Health Services; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D014801:Vitamin A