[Effect of supplementation with a massive dose of vitamin A in children 6 to 36 months of age].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of a single massive dose of vitamin A on the vitamin and iron status in children of margined urban areas in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.


METHODS
A total of 60 children received one dose of 100,000 IU (children from 6 to 12 months) and of 200,000 IU (children from 12 to 36 months) of retinol palmitate distributed by the Health Ministry in June, 1994. Serum levels of retinol, carotenoids, iron, transferrin and ferritin were measured at three periods: basal, after two weeks and after three months.


RESULTS
The mean for retinol basal values was 0.7 mumol/l, after two weeks it was 0.97 mumol/l (p < 0.001) and after three months it was 0.83 mumol/l (p > 0.05). When basal values were measured, 6.3% of the children showed severe vitamin A deficiency, which disappeared in the periods following the supplement; additionally, 42% showed moderate deficiency which had decreased to less than 7% after three months. No differences were found for serum iron and transferrin levels (p > 0.05), however, ferritin levels increased (p < 0.001) after three months indicating an improvement in iron reserves.


CONCLUSIONS
Massive dose distribution may have an important impact on vitamin A and iron status in children.
Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. Hermosillo, Sonora, México.
A E
AE
Robles-Sardin
H
H
Astiazarán-García
R
R
Dávalos-Navarro
L
L
Quihui-Cota
R M
RM
Cabrera-Pacheco
M E
ME
Valencia
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D011204:Poverty Areas; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*
D015415:Biomarkers; D014801:Vitamin A; D002338:Carotenoids; D005293:Ferritins
Efecto de la suplementación con una dosis masiva de vitamina A en niños de 6 a 36 meses de edad.