title: Vitamin a supplementation of vitamin a deficient measles patients lowers the risk of measles-related pneumonia in zambian children.
abstract: This is an a posteriori analysis of previously published data to assess whether improving vitamin A (VA) status resolves measles-related pneumonia (MP). Nonhospitalized acute measles patients (2 d of rash onset) had their VA status determined based on the molar ratio of retinol-binding protein to transthyretin (RBP/TTR). Using a cutoff value of </=0.36, indicative of marginal VA deficiency, 82 children were diagnosed as marginally VA deficient and 114 were diagnosed as VA sufficient. At baseline, marginally VA-deficient patients had significantly lower serum retinol and higher serum C-reactive protein concentrations than VA-sufficient children. At the 2-wk follow-up visit, serum retinol and the RBP/TTR ratio were significantly greater in marginally VA-deficient measles patients receiving VA supplements than in those receiving placebo; whereas in VA-sufficient measles patients, retinol increased in those receiving VA supplements or placebo. Concomitantly the odds ratio of unresolved pneumonia in marginally VA-deficient measles patients receiving VA supplements compared with those receiving placebo was 0.20 (95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.71). In conclusion, VA supplements during measles infection improved VA status of VA-deficient children and helped resolve MP, demonstrating the importance of determining VA status when assessing the efficacy of VA supplements.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802, USA. fxr5@psu.edu
authors.forename: Francisco J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Rosales
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008457:Measles / Q000150:complications*; D010919:Placebos; D011024:Pneumonia, Viral / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015024:Zambia
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D014801:Vitamin A