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Published on: January 19, 2024

Effect of vitamin A supplementation on hematopoiesis in children with anemia

Arun Garg1, Pankaj Abrol, Ad Tewari

  • 1Departments of Pediatrics, Pt. BD Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, 124001 Rohtak, (Haryana).

Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry : IJCB
|October 30, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin A supplementation enhances iron

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Hematology
  • Micronutrient Research

Background:

  • Microcytic hypochromic anemia is common in young children.
  • Iron deficiency is a primary cause of anemia.
  • Vitamin A deficiency can coexist with iron deficiency and impact hematopoiesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of vitamin A supplementation on iron-deficiency anemia in children.
  • To compare the efficacy of iron alone versus iron plus vitamin A in treating anemia.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 50 children aged 1-4 years with anemia.
  • Group I received iron (ferrous sulfate).
  • Group II received iron plus vitamin A.

Main Results:

  • Hemoglobin levels significantly increased in both groups after 4 weeks.
  • Greater hemoglobin increase observed in the iron plus vitamin A group after 8 and 12 weeks.
  • Significant increases in packed cell volume (PCV) and retinol levels were noted only in the vitamin A supplemented group.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin A supplementation, in addition to iron, improves the hematological response in anemic children.
  • Vitamin A plays a crucial role in enhancing hematopoiesis beyond iron's effect.
  • Combined supplementation may be more effective for treating childhood anemia.

Keywords:
AnemiaHematopoiesisVitamin A

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