Related Experiment Videos
Serum retinol-binding protein and vitamin A levels in malnourished children
Insights
Children with protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and vitamin A deficiency have low vitamin A and retinol-binding protein (RBP) levels. Supplementation rapidly improves these levels, indicating vitamin A is key in preventing keratomalacia.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Vitamin A deficiency and protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) are significant global health issues in children.
- Both conditions can lead to severe health consequences, including visual impairment and keratomalacia.
- Understanding the interplay between vitamin A status and PEM is crucial for effective treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum vitamin A and retinol-binding protein (RBP) levels in children with vitamin A deficiency and varying degrees of PEM.
- To assess the impact of vitamin A supplementation on these levels in different pediatric groups.
- To determine the primary limiting factor in malnourished children at risk of keratomalacia.
Main Methods:
- Serum vitamin A and RBP levels were measured in three groups of children: vitamin A deficiency, protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), and normal controls.
- Measurements were taken before and after the administration of 100,000 IU of water-miscible vitamin A.
- Serum concentrations were analyzed to compare levels across groups and after intervention.
Main Results:
- Significantly low serum vitamin A and RBP levels were observed in children with vitamin A deficiency and severe PEM.
- Children with milder PEM showed levels similar to normal controls.
- Vitamin A administration led to a rapid and significant increase in both serum vitamin A and RBP levels within 4 hours across all groups.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin A is the principal limiting factor in malnourished children, especially those susceptible to developing keratomalacia.
- Children with PEM, particularly those at risk for keratomalacia, require vitamin A supplementation alongside adequate protein and calorie intake.
- Prompt vitamin A administration is effective in restoring both vitamin A and RBP levels in deficient and malnourished children.
Abstract:
Serum levels of vitamin A and retinol-binding protein (RBP) were measured in children with vitamin A deficiency, in children with protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and in normal children, before and after administration of 100 000 IU of water-miscible vitamin A. Serum vitamin A and RBP levels were significantly low in children with vitamin A deficiency and in children with severe PEM, whereas the values in milder grades of PEM were similar to those of normal subjects. In severely malnourished children with corneal lesions, serum vitamin A concentration was reduced to a much greater extent than the level of serum RBP. Administration of vitamin A resulted in a significant increase in serum levels of both the components within 4 hours in all the 3 groups of children. The increase in RBP concentration observed in children with PEM was similar to that in vitamin A deficient children. These results indicate that in malnourished children, particularly in those who are at risk of developing keratomalacia, vitamin A is the main limiting factor. It is, therefore, recommended that children with PEM should be treated with vitamin A in addition to dietary protein and calories.