The effect of vitamin A supplementation on the growth of preschool children in the Sudan.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the effect of vitamin A supplementation at 6-month intervals on child growth.


METHODS
Sudanese children (n = 28,740) 6 to 72 months of age were weighed and measured at baseline and at each of three follow-up visits.


RESULTS
Periodic vitamin A supplementation had no effect on the rate of weight or height gain in the total population or on the incidence of wasting, stunting, or wasting and stunting among children who were normally nourished at baseline.


CONCLUSIONS
Reducing poverty and improving access to adequate diets should remain the goals of programs designed to improve the nutritional status of malnourished populations.
Fawzi
W W
WW
Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Mass. 02115, USA.
Herrera
M G
MG
Willett
W C
WC
Nestel
P
P
el Amin
A
A
Mohamed
K A
KA
D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D013397:Sudan; D013997:Time Factors; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D014801:Vitamin A