Low-dose beta-carotene supplementation and deworming improve serum vitamin A and beta-carotene concentrations in preschool children of Bangladesh.
Despite the national vitamin A and antihelminthic prophylaxis programmes, both intestinal geohelminths and subclinical vitamin A deficiency continue to be prevalent among children in developing countries. Studies on potential synergistic effects of vitamin A supplementation and deworming on retinol status have inconsistent results. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impacts of low-dose beta-carotene supplementation and antihelminthic therapy on serum retinol and beta-carotene concentrations in preschool children of Bangladesh. Two hundred and forty-four children, known to be infected with Ascaris lumbricoides, were randomized into four treatment groups: I-IV. Group I and II received two oral doses of 400 mg of albendazole each, the first dose at baseline and the second dose after four months; Group III and IV received placebo in place of albendazole. In addition, Group I and III received 1.2 mg of beta-carotene powder in capsule daily for six months, and Group II and IV received placebo in place of beta-carotene. Serum retinol and beta-carotene levels were measured before and after six months of the interventions. Serum retinol and beta-carotene increased significantly in Group I where both antihelminthic therapy and daily beta-carotene supplementation were given (p<0.05 and p<0.001 respectively). Antihelminthic therapy alone only improved serum beta-carotene concentration (p<0.0001). Low-dose beta-carotene supplementation, along with an antihelminthic therapy, synergistically improved vitamin A status. This finding has public-health implications for improving vitamin A status of children in developing countries.
Haque
Rashidul
R
Laboratory Sciences Division, ICDDR,B, GPO Box 128, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh. rhaque@icddrb.org
Ahmed
Tanvir
T
Wahed
M A
MA
Mondal
Dinesh
D
Rahman
A S M Hamidur
AS
Albert
M John
MJ
D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001196:Ascariasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017164:Ascaris lumbricoides / Q000187:drug effects*; D001459:Bangladesh; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011203:Poverty; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*
D000871:Anthelmintics; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D015766:Albendazole