Multiple high dose vitamin A supplementation. A report on five cases.
Vitamin A toxicity is a concern among health care providers, especially when present recommendations for vitamin A may result in multiple dosing during a short period of time. We observed no vitamin A toxicity in 5 children who received multiple high doses of vitamin A. These 8-month to 5-year-old children were part of a community trial of vitamin A during acute measles, and were being treated at a local hospital for severe acute respiratory infection, malaria, and/or diarrhoea. One 12-month-old who received 1,612,500 I.U. within a period of three weeks showed elevated serum retinol (3.42 mumol/l), but none of the five showed signs of toxicity. These cases illustrate the confusion surrounding the correct use of vitamin A for infants and children with multiple morbid conditions. A plea is made to report similar situations since clinical trials are unethical.
Rosales
F J
FJ
Department of International Health, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205.
Kjolhede
C L
CL
D000208:Acute Disease; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003236:Conjunctivitis, Viral / Q000188:drug therapy; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008288:Malaria / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D014801:Vitamin A