title: Vitamin A supplementation and risk of atopy: long-term follow-up of a randomized trial of vitamin A supplementation at six and nine months of age.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The World Health Organization recommends high-dose vitamin A supplementation (VAS) for children above six months of age in low-income countries. VAS has been associated with up-regulation of the Th2 response. We aimed to determine if VAS is associated with atopy in childhood.
  
  
  METHODS
  Infants in Guinea-Bissau were randomly allocated VAS or placebo, either at six and nine months of age, or only at nine months of age. At six months of age, children were furthermore randomized to measles vaccine or inactivated polio vaccine. At nine months of age all children received measles vaccine. Children were revisited seven years later and skin prick testing was performed. Atopy was defined as a skin prick reaction ≥ 3 mm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  40 of 263 children (15%) were atopic. Overall VAS had no significant effect on the risk of atopy (Prevalence Ratio 1.23; 95% CI 0.69-2.18). The Prevalence Ratio was 1.60 (0.66-3.90) for males and 1.00 (0.46-2.15) for females.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no significant effect of VAS in infancy on atopy later in childhood. The role of infant VAS in the development of atopy is still unclear.
authors.affiliation: Bandim Health Project, Indepth Network, Apartado 861, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. nicholas.kiraly@mcri.edu.au.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kiraly
authors.forename: Aliu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balde
authors.forename: Ida Marie
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Lisse
authors.forename: Helle Brander
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Eriksen
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aaby
authors.forename: Christine Stabell
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Benn
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006169:Guinea-Bissau / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D007223:Infant; D007428:Intradermal Tests; D008297:Male; D008458:Measles Vaccine; D011054:Poliovirus Vaccine, Inactivated; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D008458:Measles Vaccine; D011054:Poliovirus Vaccine, Inactivated; D014801:Vitamin A