title: Effect of vitamin A supplementation on hematopoiesis in children with anemia.
abstract: Fifty children (1-4 years age) presenting with microcytic hypochromic anemia (hemoglobin less than 10g/dl) were studied in two groups of 25 each. Group I was supplemented with iron (ferrous sulphate 6 mg/kg/d) while group II in addition to iron was also supplemented with vitamin A (5000 IU/d). Hemoglobin concentration was found to be significantly increased after 4 weeks of iron supplementation. Rise in hemoglobin was comparatively more in-group II, as compared to group I, after 8 and 12 weeks. Serum iron was significantly higher after 4 weeks in both the groups. Packed cell volume (PCV) and retinol levels increased significantly in-group II only. The data suggests that supplementation of vitamin A improves hematopoiesis.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pediatrics, Pt. BD Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, 124001 Rohtak, (Haryana).
authors.forename: Arun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garg
authors.forename: Pankaj
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Abrol
authors.forename: Ad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tewari
authors.forename: Rajiv
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sen
authors.forename: Harbans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lal
keywords: Anemia; Hematopoiesis; Vitamin A