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Relationship between deficiencies in vitamin A and E and occurrence of infectious diseases among children
1Department of Pediatrics, Daqing Longnan Hospital, Daqing, Heilongjiang, China. Charming_lady@163.com.
Insights
Children with vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and vitamin E deficiency (VED) are more susceptible to infectious diseases like acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) and diarrhea. These deficiencies are significant risk factors for common childhood infections.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and vitamin E deficiency (VED) are prevalent nutritional issues in children.
- These deficiencies can impact immune function and susceptibility to infections.
- Understanding the link between VAD, VED, and infectious diseases is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between vitamin A and vitamin E levels in children.
- To determine the relationship between VAD, VED, and the incidence of acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) and diarrhea.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 684 healthy children aged 5 months to 12 years was studied.
- Serum levels of vitamin A (VA) and vitamin E (VE) were measured using high-pressure liquid chromatography under light-proof conditions.
- Children were monitored for two weeks to register cases of ARI or diarrhea.
Main Results:
- Children who developed ARI had significantly lower serum VA and VE levels compared to healthy children.
- A decreased VA level (<0.2 mg/L) was associated with a higher risk of ARI.
- Children with diarrhea also showed a higher proportion with decreased VA levels.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin A deficiency increases the risk of ARI and diarrhea in children.
- Vitamin E deficiency is linked to a higher incidence of ARI.
- VAD and VED are significant contributing factors to acute infectious diseases in pediatric populations.
Objective:
To investigate the relationship between vitamin A deficiency (VAD), vitamin E deficiency (VED) and infectious diseases.
Patients And Methods:
We chose 684 cases of healthy children age 5 months-12 years from our hospital, measured their VA, VE from vein under the light proof condition with high-pressure liquid chromatography. Thereafter, the children who get the acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) or diarrhea two weeks later were registered.
Results:
After the two weeks trial (N=684 cases), the VA level of children with ARI was lower than that of children without ARI (0.23±0.02 mg/ml/0.33±0.01 mg/ml), p<0.05. Moreover, the VE level of children with ARI was significantly lower than that of children without ARI (p<0.05). Most interestingly, the proportion of children with diarrhea accompanied with decreased VA level in serum was higher than that of children without diarrhea, indicating that VA level <0.2 mg/L more easily affected acute respiratory tract infection.
Conclusions:
We were able to demonstrate that Children who presented vitamin A deficiency were easier to get the acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) and diarrhea. Children who presented vitamin E deficiency were easier to get the acute respiratory tract infection (ARI). Vitamin A and vitamin E deficiencies are one of the important factors related to occurrences of acute infectious diseases in children.
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