Publication:

Role of vitamin A supplementation in management of iron deficiency anemia in children

Background The objective of the study were to study the effect of the supplementation of vitamin A along with standard dose of iron on hematopoiesis in children with documented iron deficiency anemia, a hospital based prospective study is carried out for 6 months on children with documented iron deficiency anemia in OPD and indoor patients of the department of paediatric medicine, Medical College Kolkata..

Methods Thirty children (1-12 years age) presenting with iron deficiency anemia (hemoglobin less than 10 g/dl, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) <75 fl, and serum iron <55 mcg/dl) were studied in two groups of 15 each. Group I was supplemented with iron (ferrous sulphate 3 mg/kg/d) while group II in addition to iron was also supplemented with vitamin A (5000 IU/d).Collected data were expressed as mean±SE. Comparison of variables was done by using student t test or chi square test as applicable. P<0.0001 was taken as statistically significant.

Results Hemoglobin concentration was found to be significantly increased after 4 weeks of iron supplementation. Rise in hemoglobin was comparatively more in group II, as compared to group I, after 4 and 8 weeks.

Conclusions The result of this study suggests that supplementation of vitamin A improves hematopoiesis.