Therefore , vitamin A supplementation alone may reduce the risk of anemia , by improving hemoglobin and ferritin levels in individuals with low serum retinol levels
ABSTRACT Anemia is a worldwide public health problem that can be related to many causes , including vitamin A deficiency .
The aim of this study was to assess and estimate the effect of vitamin A supplementation ( VAS ) on iron status biomarkers and anemia in humans .
Vitamin A capsule distribution to control vitamin A deficiency in Indonesia: effect of supplementation in pre-school children and compliance with the programme.
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a widespread vitamin A supplementation programme and to describe indicators of compliance with the programme in Indonesia . DESIGN Prospect i ve cohort study . Children 's  anthropometric data were gathered at baseline ( June 2000 ) and 4 months later ( 2 months after supplementation in August 2000 ) . Serum retinol , haemoglobin , ferritin , alpha1-acid glycoprotein and C-reactive protein were measured at baseline and at follow-up . Caregivers of the children were interviewed using a question naire . SETTING Semi-urban and rural areas of Semarang district , Central Java , Indonesia . SUBJECTS Children aged 1 - 5 years . RESULTS After the supplementation , the proportion of children with a low concentration of retinol decreased in recipients from 18.8 to 14.5 % . However , in non-recipients , the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency increased from 31.9 to 37.5 % , this prevalence being significantly higher than in recipients . A significant decrease occurred in the proportion of recipients with low ferritin ( 26.5 to 16.2 % ) and haemoglobin ( 25.7 to 15.3 % ) , whereas the proportions did not show a significant change after supplementation for non-recipients . Modest linear growth was detected in recipients after supplementation but there was no effect on ponderal growth . The coverage rate of the supplementation in the study areas was 60 % . There was an association between compliance of the caregivers and their knowledge about the potential benefit of vitamin A supplementation , the place where sick children were taken and age of the children . CONCLUSIONS The vitamin A supplementation programme marginally decreased the proportion of vitamin A deficiency and had a marginal effect on the nutritional status of recipients . More than one micronutrient intervention is needed to increase the effectiveness of the supplementation programme . To increase compliance and coverage in the supplementation programme , nutrition communication and private healthcare practice s need to be included in the programme
Therefore , vitamin A supplementation alone may reduce the risk of anemia , by improving hemoglobin and ferritin levels in individuals with low serum retinol levels
ABSTRACT Anemia is a worldwide public health problem that can be related to many causes , including vitamin A deficiency .
The aim of this study was to assess and estimate the effect of vitamin A supplementation ( VAS ) on iron status biomarkers and anemia in humans .