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 .
Effects of Vitamin A Supplementation on Iron Status Indices and Iron Deficiency Anaemia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Iron deficiency anaemia ( IDA ) is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world including developed and developing countries . Despite intensive efforts to improve the quality of life of rural and aboriginal communities in Malaysia , anaemia and IDA are still major public health problems in these communities particularly among children . A r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 250 Orang Asli ( aboriginal ) schoolchildren in Malaysia to investigate the effects of a single high-dose of vitamin A supplementation ( 200,000 IU ) on iron status indices , anaemia and IDA status . The effect of the supplement was assessed after 3 months of receiving the supplements ; after a complete 3-day deworming course of 400 mg/day of albendazole tablets . The prevalence of anaemia was found to be high : 48.5 % ( 95 % CI = 42.3 , 54.8 ) . Moreover , 34 % ( 95 % CI = 28.3 , 40.2 ) of the children had IDA , which accounted for 70.1 % of the anaemic cases . The findings showed that the reduction in serum ferritin level and the increments in haemoglobin , serum iron and transferrin saturation were found to be significant among children allocated to the vitamin A group compared to those allocated to the placebo group ( p < 0.01 ) . Moreover , a significant reduction in the prevalence of IDA by almost 22 % than prevalence at baseline was reported among children in the vitamin A group compared with only 2.3 % reduction among children in the placebo group . In conclusion , vitamin A supplementation showed a significant impact on iron status indices and IDA among Orang Asli children . Hence , providing vitamin A supplementation and imparting the knowledge related to nutritious food should be considered in the efforts to improve the nutritional and health status of these children as a part of efforts to improve the quality of life in rural and aboriginal communities
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 .