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 .
Hematologic effect of vitamin A supplementation in anemic Pakistani children.
To assess the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in anemic Pakistani children and investigate the hematologic response to vitamin A supplementation , 4 - 8 year old primary school children from the slum areas of Karachi were surveyed for anemia . Of 101 anemic children selected , 16 % had low level of vitamin A ( < 20 micrograms/dl ) and an additional 2 % had deficient level ( < 10 micrograms/dl ) . Serum Retinol level showed positive associated with serum iron , ferritin , hemoglobin , hematocrit and Mean cell hemoglobin concentration . A non-r and omized control trial was then carried out . Oral vitamin A capsules were given to 42 children and 53 children served as controls . After 6 weeks , there were significant differences between the two groups for Retinol , Retinol-Binding-Protein and Hematocrit . However , no significant difference could be found for Hemoglobin , RBC count , Mean Corpuscular Volume , Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin , Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration , Serum iron , ferritin or transferrin . A single vitamin A supplement improved the hematocrit in 6 weeks . Long-term studies are needed to find if the WHO recommended periodic massive doses of vitamin A besides improving the morbidity and mortality will also improve the overall picture of anemia in children
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 .