Children with low levels of vitamin A are more likely to suffer from digestive and respiratory diseases, researchers report in the Journal of Nutrition.
Earlier analyzes of vitamin A deficiency focused on newborns and children under 5 years of age. However, the results were not consistent as to the relationship between vitamin A supplementation and the incidence of respiratory and digestive diseases, say scientists from the Michigan State University, who conducted research in a group of nearly 2,8 thousand. 5-12 years old children from Bogota (Colombia).
During the research, the level of retinol (vitamin A) was measured, as well as iron, zinc, folate, and vitamin B12. However, only vitamin A has been shown to be associated with the risk of these diseases. The lower its level was, the more often children experienced diarrhea and vomiting, as well as cough and fever.
Each increase in blood retinol concentration by 10 µg / dl was associated with a decrease in the frequency of diarrhea and vomiting by 18%, a decrease in the frequency of cough and fever by 10%. and reducing the frequency of visits to the doctor by 6%.
Vitamin A deficiency continues to be an important public health problem in many countries. Its deficit (ie concentration below 20 µg / dl of blood) concerns 14 percent. Colombian children. The effect of vitamins and micronutrients, however, may differ depending on the place of residence due to differences in the diet of a given population and the availability of ingredients, as well as the presence of microorganisms that cause viral, bacterial or parasitic diseases. So it is not clear whether supplementation is a solution for everyone, concludes the author of the research, Dr. Eduardo Villamor. (PAP)