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Integration of vitamin A supplementation with the Expanded Programme on Immunization: lack of impact on morbidity or infant growth
Author(s) -
Semba RD,
Munasir Z,
Akib A,
Melikian G,
Permaesih D,
Muherdiyantiningsih D,
Marituti S,
Muhilal S.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2001.tb03237.x
Subject(s) - medicine , measles , vitamin a deficiency , pediatrics , malnutrition , vitamin , immunization , randomized controlled trial , clinical trial , infant mortality , placebo , anthropometry , retinol , environmental health , vaccination , immunology , population , alternative medicine , pathology , antigen
Vitamin A deficiency is associated with increased morbidity and mortality from diarrheal disease, measles, and malaria. It has been proposed that vitamin A supplementation could be linked with childhood immunization programs to improve child health. We conducted a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial to evaluate the impact of linking vitamin A supplementation with the Expanded Programme on Immunization on morbidity and child growth. In West Java, Indonesia, 467 six‐week‐old infants were randomized to receive 7.5 mg retinol equivalent (RE), 15 mg RE, or placebo with childhood immunization contacts at 6, 10, and 14 wks and 9 mo of age. Child growth was assessed through anthropometry, and morbidity histories were obtained. Vitamin A supplementation had no apparent impact upon linear or ponderal growth or infectious disease morbidity in the first 15 mo of age when integrated with the Expanded Programme on Immunization. Conclusion : Although improving vitamin A nutriture is of general importance in reducing diarrheal and measles morbidity and mortality in developing countries, this clinical trial showed no apparent benefit of vitamin A capsules for infant health when given through childhood immunization programs.