The effects of vitamin A supplementation on the morbidity of children born to HIV-infected women.
OBJECTIVE
The effects of vitamin A supplementation on morbidity of children born to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women were evaluated in a population where vitamin A deficiency is not endemic.


METHODS
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of vitamin A supplementation was carried out in 118 offspring of HIV-infected women in Durban, South Africa. Those assigned to receive a supplement were given 50,000 IU of vitamin A at 1 and 3 months of age; 100,000 IU at 6 and 9 months; and 200,000 IU at 12 and 15 months. Morbidity in the past month was then recalled at each follow-up visit. Analysis was based on 806 child-months.


RESULTS
Among all children, the supplemented group had lower overall morbidity than the placebo group (OR = 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.48, 0.99). Among the 85 children of known HIV status (28 infected, 57 uninfected), morbidity associated with diarrhea was significantly reduced in the supplemented infected children (OR = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.27, 0.99), whereas no effect of supplementation on diarrheal morbidity was noted among the uninfected children.


CONCLUSIONS
In a population not generally vitamin A deficient, vitamin A supplementation for children of HIV-infected women appeared to be beneficial, reducing morbidity. The benefit was observed particularly for diarrhea among HIV-infected children.
Coutsoudis
A
A
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa.
Bobat
R A
RA
Coovadia
H M
HM
Kuhn
L
L
Tsai
W Y
WY
Stein
Z A
ZA
D000328:Adult; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003968:Diarrhea, Infantile / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014801:Vitamin A