Importance of adequate vitamin A status during iron supplementation

Nutritional deficiencies, including iron deficiency, may promote infection by lowering the body's resistance to infectious diseases. However, it has been shown that administration of iron in developing countries can result in increased morbidity, because pathogenic bacteria may compete effectively for iron in the circulation, resulting in an exacerbation of existing infections. Improved vitamin A status may protect against this potentially harmful effect of iron supplementation in environments where infections are highly prevalent.