Vitamin A supplementation and growth: a randomized community trial

A randomized community trial was carried out in Aceh, Indonesia, 1982-1984, to assess the impact of semiannual vitamin A (VA) supplementation (60,000 micrograms RE) on preschool child growth: 229 villages were randomized to VA program and 221 to control status. One thousand thirty-two program and 980 control children aged 1-5 y were assessed and followed for 12 mo. VA program males gained an additional approximately 110 g weight at age 2-3 y (NS), 190 g at age 4 y (p less than 0.05), and 263 g at age 5 y over control males (p less than 0.01). Arm circumference and muscle area expanded 2 mm (p less than 0.05) and approximately 36 mm2 (p less than 0.05) more per year, respectively, from ages 3 to 5 y of age and more arm fat was retained at every age (p less than 0.05 at 1 and 3 y) in VA males. There were no group differences in ponderal growth for females or in linear growth for either sex. VA supplementation may improve growth where endemic deficiency exists.