title: Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis and Vitamin A Deficiency: Two Problems, One Policy.
abstract: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) represent two widely prevalent and often overlapping global health problems. Approximately 75% of countries with moderate or severe VAD are coendemic for STH. We reviewed the literature on the complex relationship between STH and VAD. Treatment for STH significantly increases provitamin A (e.g., β-carotene) levels but is associated with minimal increases in preformed vitamin A (retinol). Interpretation of the data is complicated by variations in STH infection intensity and limitations of vitamin A biomarkers. Despite these challenges, increased coordination of STH and VAD interventions represents an important public health opportunity.
authors.affiliation: Children Without Worms, The Task Force for Global Health, Decatur, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Eric C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Strunz
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Parminder S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Suchdev
authors.affiliation: Children Without Worms, The Task Force for Global Health, Decatur, GA, USA. Electronic address: daddiss@taskforce.org.
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Addiss
mesh_terms: D014943:Global Health; D006291:Health Policy / Q000639:trends*; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D012987:Soil / Q000469:parasitology*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D012987:Soil
keywords: soil-transmitted helminth; vitamin A