Morbidity and mortality patterns of infection among under five year's children and the effect of intervention by vit. A.

This study aimed to explore the relationship between vitamin A status and frequency of infection among infants and preschool children and evaluate the effect of intervention by vitamin A supplementation and its efficacy in reduction of infant morbidity in preschool children. Seventy children suffering from recurrent infection [46 males and 24 females], their ages ranged between 6 and 60 months, supplemented with an oral daily dose of vitamin A of 30 ug RE/kg/day for eight weeks then followed up for 10 months after supplementation. Results showed that 34 patients out of 70 [48.6%] who suffered from high frequency of infection/year [>12 time/y] significantly declined to 6 [8.5%] after intervention. Highly infected children [with CRP> 24 mg/L] were significantly dropped from 38 [54.3%] to 6 children [8.6%] after intervention. Mean values of plasma retinol was significantly increased after intervention [29.6 +/- 3.7 and 4.1 ug/dl, P<0.001]. Plasma retionol by multiple regression analysis, was the most contributing factor affecting frequency of infection in young preschool children [P<0.01]. So, it could be concluded that severity as well as frequency of infection is proportionate with serum retinol level. Supplementation by vitamin A or its food fortification must be done in less than five years children

changes in vitamin A and protein in cataractous lenses

The serum vitamin A and Beta carotene level was determined in a number of patients suffering from immature and mature [with or without diabetes] cataract. A group of diabetic patients without cataract were also included. The serum total protein and its electrophoretic separated fractions were also analysed. The results showed that a drop occurred in serum vitamin A and B carotene particularly in mature cataract. Measurement of intestinal absorption of vitamin A in those patients with low level of the vitamin revealed a retarded rate of absorption. The level of albumin, alpha 2- macroglobulin, transferrin and A/G ratio in patients was different from that in normal. It is clear that vitamin A deficiency is contributing to the development of cataract. Also it is recommended to give parenteral vitamin A therapy to those who are exposed to develop cataract. The parenteral route is described to escape the defect in intestinal absorption of the vitamin

state of vitamin A and protein pattern in conjunctival and corneal disease

The vitamin A level, total protein and electrophoretically separated fractions in serum of patients suffering from conjunctival or corneal disease were analysed and compared with normals. Blood haemoglobin and dietary recall were also made. Absorption test for vitamin A was done for patients showing low serum vitamin A level. Results indicated a drop in serum vitamin A level in patients suffering from conjunctival xerosis with a diminshed rate of intestinal vitamin A absorption. The other conjunctival or corneal eye diseases show normal level of vitamin A. The level of serum alpha 2 -macroglobulin and transferrin was high. These two protein fractions help to strengthen the defense mechanism of the body and also to inhibit proteases, in particular collagenase in cases of comeal ulcer