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 .
Effect of maternal and neonatal vitamin A supplementation and other postnatal factors on anemia in Zimbabwean infants: a prospective, randomized study.
BACKGROUND Anemia is prevalent in infants in developing countries . Its etiology is multifactorial and includes vitamin A deficiency . OBJECTIVE Our primary aim was to measure the effect of maternal or neonatal vitamin A supplementation ( or both ) on hemoglobin and anemia in Zimbabwean infants . Our secondary aim was to identify the underlying causes of postnatal anemia . DESIGN A r and omized , placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 14 110 mothers and their infants ; 2854 infants were r and omly selected for the anemia sub study , of whom 1592 were successfully observed for 8 - 14 mo and formed the study sample . Infants were r and omly assigned within 96 h of delivery to 1 of 4 treatment groups : mothers and infants received vitamin A ; mothers received vitamin A and infants received placebo ; mothers received placebo and infants received vitamin A ; and mothers and infants received placebo . The vitamin A doses were 400,000 and 50,000 IU in the mothers and infants , respectively . RESULTS Vitamin A supplementation had no effect on hemoglobin or anemia ( hemoglobin < 105 g/L ) in unadjusted or adjusted analyses . Infant HIV infection independently increased anemia risk > 6-fold . Additional predictors of anemia  in HIV-negative and -positive infants were male sex and lower total body iron at birth . In addition , in HIV-positive infants , the risk of anemia increased with early infection , low maternal CD4 + lymphocyte count at recruitment , and frequent morbidity . Six-month plasma ferritin concentrations < 12 microg/L were a risk factor in HIV-negative but not in HIV-positive infants . Maternal HIV infection alone did not cause anemia . CONCLUSION Prevention of infantile anemia should include efforts to increase the birth endowment of iron and prevent HIV infection
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 .