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Published on: May 10, 2024
Vitamin A status in wheezing Saudi children
Sherein A Shalaby1, Khaild M Al-Harbi, Shereen A El-Tarhouny
1Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Taibah University, PO Box 30001, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. shalaby25@hotmail.com
Saudi Medical Journal
|May 11, 2011
Summary
Wheezing infants in Saudi Arabia often have low vitamin A levels. Lower serum retinol concentrations correlate with more severe and persistent wheezing, indicating vitamin A status is linked to wheeze severity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Public Health
Background:
- Wheezing is a common respiratory symptom in infants and young children.
- Vitamin A deficiency can impact immune function and respiratory health.
- Understanding vitamin A status in wheezing children is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine serum retinol levels in Saudi children experiencing wheezing.
- To assess the relationship between serum retinol and the severity and course of wheezing.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study involved 400 Saudi children aged 3-36 months with wheezing.
- Children were categorized into persistent (93) and acute (307) wheeze groups.
- Wheeze severity was graded as mild, moderate, or severe.
Main Results:
- Higher prevalence of deficient and marginal vitamin A was observed in persistent wheezing patients (9.7% deficient, 20.4% marginal) compared to acute wheezing patients (1.6% deficient, 8.1% marginal).
- A significant association (p<0.05) was found between lower vitamin A concentrations and persistent wheezing.
- Vitamin A deficiency was exclusively identified in children with severe wheezing.
Conclusions:
- Prevalent vitamin A deficiency and marginal deficiency exist among wheezing infants in Saudi Arabia.
- Serum vitamin A levels are significantly related to both the severity and the course of wheezing in children.
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