title: Low-dose beta-carotene supplementation and deworming improve serum vitamin A and beta-carotene concentrations in preschool children of Bangladesh.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Sciences Division, ICDDR,B, GPO Box 128, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh. rhaque@icddrb.org
authors.forename: Rashidul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Haque
authors.forename: Tanvir
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Wahed
authors.forename: Dinesh
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mondal
authors.forename: A S M Hamidur
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: M John
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Albert
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D015766:Albendazole