Effects of Vitamin A Supplementation on Intestinal Parasitic Reinfections

Summary

Intestinal parasitic infections, malnutrition and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) are still considered as public health problems in rural Malaysia especially among Orang Asli children. Despite intermittent control programmes, the prevalence of these problems is still high suggesting the need of other control and interventions measures. This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was carried out among Orang Asli schoolchildren from Sekolah Kebangsaan Betau in Pos Betau, Pahang (200 km northeast Kuala Lumpur) to investigate the effects of vitamin A supplementation on intestinal parasitic reinfections, growth, iron status and educational achievement. HYPOTHESES 1. Vitamin A supplementation has a negative effect on intestinal parasitic reinfections and the worm burden of infections among Orang Asli schoolchildren in Pos Betau, Kuala Lipis, Pahang. 2. Vitamin A supplementation has a positive effect on growth (weight and height) among Orang Asli schoolchildren. 3. Vitamin A supplementation is effective in improving serum iron status among Orang Asli schoolchildren. 4. Vitamin A supplementation has a positive effect on cognitive function and educational achievement among Orang Asli schoolchildren.

Timeline

Start

2007-05

Primary completion

2008-08

Completion

2008-08

Publications

• Background Donnen P, Brasseur D, Dramaix M, Vertongen F, Zihindula M, Muhamiriza M, Hennart P. Vitamin A supplementation but not deworming improves growth of malnourished preschool children in eastern Zaire. J Nutr. 1998 Aug;128(8):1320-7. doi: 10.1093/jn/128.8.1320.
• Background Hadi H, Stoltzfus RJ, Dibley MJ, Moulton LH, West KP Jr, Kjolhede CL, Sadjimin T. Vitamin A supplementation selectively improves the linear growth of indonesian preschool children: results from a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Feb;71(2):507-13. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/71.2.507.
• Background Payne LG, Koski KG, Ortega-Barria E, Scott ME. Benefit of vitamin A supplementation on ascaris reinfection is less evident in stunted children. J Nutr. 2007 Jun;137(6):1455-9. doi: 10.1093/jn/137.6.1455.
• Background Tanumihardjo SA, Permaesih D, Muhilal. Vitamin A status and hemoglobin concentrations are improved in Indonesian children with vitamin A and deworming interventions. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2004 Sep;58(9):1223-30. doi: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601953.
• Al-Mekhlafi HM, Anuar TS, Al-Zabedi EM, Al-Maktari MT, Mahdy MA, Ahmed A, Sallam AA, Abdullah WA, Moktar N, Surin J. Does vitamin A supplementation protect schoolchildren from acquiring soil-transmitted helminthiasis? A randomized controlled trial. Parasit Vectors. 2014 Aug 15;7:367. doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-367.

Drugs

Indications