Why Vitamin A supplement is a must for kids?

Vitamin A supplement lowers overall mortality rate by 24% in kids

Vitamin A that promotes everything from healthy eyesight to a healthy immune system is important for everyone’s health but is especially vital in children, claims a new study.

According to researchers, deficiency of the vitamin in developing nations, where malnutrition remains problematic the consequences can be devastating.

Children deficient in vitamin A can have impaired body functions, skin infections, vision problems, blindness, and premature death.

Data analysis of 43 randomized trials revealed that supplementation programs of vitamin A can lower the overall mortality rate by 24 percent by reducing the incidence of measles and diarrhea.

Lead author of the study, Professor Zulfiqar Bhutta, Chairman of the Division of Women and Child Health at Aga Khan University, Pakistan stated, “More than 190 million children are vitamin A deficient around the globe; reducing their risk of mortality by 24 percent could save almost 1 million lives per year.”

Review of 43 randomized trials

In order to determine the impact of vitamin A supplementation on the rate of mortality in kids under five, the researchers conducted a review of 43 previous studies.

This involved 215,633 children between six months and five years of age.

For the purpose of the study, kids undergoing treatment at hospitals, those with disease or infection were excluded.

Also, trials comprising the impact of food fortification, dietary intake of vitamin A-rich foods, or beta-carotene supplementation were not taken into account.

Findings of the study

It was noted that compared to the control group given a placebo, those administered vitamin A capsules exhibited an overall reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality.

The review found no statistical reduction in the specific mortality rate from measles, respiratory tract disease, and meningitis by Vitamin A supplements.

However, it was noted that supplements of the vitamin was effective in reducing the incidence of diarrhea, measles morbidity.

In addition, it was observed that vitamin A prevented hospitalizations for diarrhea or pneumonia.

Bhutta stated, “In our opinion, given the evidence that vitamin A supplementation causes considerable reduction in child mortality, further placebo-controlled trials of vitamin A supplementation in children between six months and five years of age are not required.”

Adequate nutrition vital

Though, the potential benefits of vitamin A supplements in lowering child mortality are established, researchers concede there is need for further studies to compare different doses and mechanisms of delivery.

According to experts, although vitamin A supplements may rectify the immediate problem of deficiency, it is important to introduce kids to vitamin A-rich foods at an early age and not overdo the supplements.

Bhutta stated, “Fortification, dietary diversification, food distribution programs and horticultural developments such as home gardening and bio-fortification may provide more permanent relief.

“For example, vitamin A content could be increased in staples such as rice or growers may aim to promote use of biofortified foods such as orange sweet potato.”

source: themedguru