March 2012. Volume 8. Number 1

Supplementation of vitamin A in low income countries is effective in reducing morbidity and mortality in children under five years of age

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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AVC | Critically appraised articles

Mayo-Wilson E, Imdad A, Herzer K, Yakoob MY, Bhutta ZA. Vitamin A supplements for preventing mortality, illness, and blindness in children aged under 5: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2011;343:d5094.
Reviewers: Guarch Ibáñez B1, Llerena Santa Cruz E2, Buñuel Álvarez JC3.
1Hospital Universitario Dr. Josep Trueta. Girona. España.
2Hospital Universitario Dr. Josep Trueta. Girona. España.
3Àrea Bàsica de Salut Girona-4. Institut Català de la Salut. Girona. España.
Correspondence: Borja Guarch Ibáñez. Email: borjaguarch@hotmail.com
Reception date: 14/12/2011
Acceptance date: 09/01/2012
Publication date: 11/01/2012

Abstract

Authors’ conclusions: supplementation of vitamin A is associated with a significant reduction in morbidity and vision problems in children under five years of age. These supplements should be administered to all children at risk of deficiency (particularly in countries with low income).

Reviewers’ commentary: in children aged six months to five years supplementation with vitamin A is effective in reducing mortality in countries with deficits of this vitamin. Vitamin A can be considered as a supplement with low cost and low side effects, with benefits exceeding potential risks. It remains to establish the dose and frequency of administration, an issue that has to be the subject of future studies designed for this purpose.

How to cite this article

Guarch Ibáñez B, Llerena Santa Cruz E, Buñuel Álvarez JC. El suplemento de vitamina A en países de baja renta se asocia a una disminución de la morbimortalidad en niños menores de cinco años. Evid Pediatr. 2012;8:8.

AVC | Critically appraised articles

Mayo-Wilson E, Imdad A, Herzer K, Yakoob MY, Bhutta ZA. Vitamin A supplements for preventing mortality, illness, and blindness in children aged under 5: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2011;343:d5094.
Reviewers: Guarch Ibáñez B1, Llerena Santa Cruz E2, Buñuel Álvarez JC3.
1Hospital Universitario Dr. Josep Trueta. Girona. España.
2Hospital Universitario Dr. Josep Trueta. Girona. España.
3Àrea Bàsica de Salut Girona-4. Institut Català de la Salut. Girona. España.
Correspondence: Borja Guarch Ibáñez. Email: borjaguarch@hotmail.com
Reception date: 14/12/2011
Acceptance date: 09/01/2012
Publication date: 11/01/2012

How to cite this article

Guarch Ibáñez B, Llerena Santa Cruz E, Buñuel Álvarez JC. El suplemento de vitamina A en países de baja renta se asocia a una disminución de la morbimortalidad en niños menores de cinco años. Evid Pediatr. 2012;8:8.

References

  1. Williams, SR. Nutrition and diet therapy. 8th edition. St Louis: Mosby; 1997. p.159.
  2. Rice AL, West KP Jr, Black RE. Vitamin A deficiency. Global and regional burden of disease attributable to selected major risk factors. Vol 1. World Health Organization, 2004 [en línea] [fecha de consulta: 14-XI-2011]. Disponible en: http://www.who.int/publications/cra/chapters/volume1/0211-0256.pdf
  3. Fawzi WW, Chalmers TC, Herrera MG, Mosteller F. Vitamin A supplementation and child mortality. A meta-analysis. JAMA. 1993;269:898-903.
11/01/2012

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