Vitamin A supplementation and health outcomes for children in Nepal.
OBJECTIVE
To compare vitamin A supplementation status of children age 6-60 months to the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency disease, malnutrition, diarrhea, and acute respiratory infection.


METHODS
The nutritional status of children was estimated using mid-upper-arm circumference measurements. A trained ophthalmology assistant assessed for clinical signs of vitamin A deficiency disease. A trained female community health worker interviewed mothers about child health status using a standardized questionnaire.


RESULTS
Compared to children who did not receive supplements, children who received vitamin A supplements regularly had less malnutrition, diarrhea, and acute respiratory infection, regardless of the number of children per household, age, sex, or father's occupation.


CONCLUSIONS
Supplementation with vitamin A is necessary twice a year. Children who received a vitamin A capsule only one time were not as protected as were those children who received vitamin A as a regular twice yearly scheduled dose.
Grubesic
Ruth B
RB
Texas Woman's University College of Nursing, Houston Center. rgrubesic@twu.edu
Selwyn
B J
BJ
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009313:National Health Programs; D009390:Nepal / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D014801:Vitamin A