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Relationship between acute diarrhoea and low plasma levels of vitamin A and retinol binding protein
G Velasquez-Melendez1, M J Roncada, J Toporovski
1Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Brazil. Melendez@usp.br
Insights
Children with diarrhea have significantly lower vitamin A and retinol-binding protein (RBP) levels. This study highlights the association between acute diarrhea and inadequate vitamin A status in children.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Pediatric Health
- Clinical Biochemistry
Background:
- Vitamin A deficiency is a global health concern, particularly in children.
- Diarrheal diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in young children.
- Impaired vitamin A status may exacerbate diarrheal illness and prolong recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate vitamin A status in children experiencing acute diarrhea.
- To investigate the association between acute diarrhea and plasma levels of vitamin A and retinol-binding protein (RBP).
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study comparing 26 children with diarrhea and 52 healthy controls (aged 18-119 months).
- Plasma vitamin A measured using the Neeld & Pearson colorimetric method.
- Plasma RBP quantified via radial immunodiffusion technique.
- Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for sex, age, nutritional status, and maternal education.
Main Results:
- Children with diarrhea exhibited significantly lower mean plasma vitamin A levels (15.87 ± 1.4 µg/dL) compared to controls (21.14 ± 1.15 µg/dL, p < 0.007).
- Significantly lower mean plasma RBP levels were observed in children with diarrhea (1.70 ± 0.2 mg/dL) versus controls (2.52 ± 0.11 mg/dL).
- Multivariate analysis confirmed a significant association between acute diarrhea and inadequate vitamin A and RBP levels.
Conclusions:
- Acute diarrhea is associated with reduced plasma vitamin A and RBP levels in children.
- Inadequate vitamin A status may be linked to the occurrence or severity of acute diarrhea.
- Further research into the therapeutic role of vitamin A supplementation in diarrheal episodes is warranted.
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to assess vitamin A status and association between acute diarrhoea and plasma levels of vitamin A through cross-sectional comparison in children. Plasma vitamin A was measured by colorimetric method of Neeld & Pearson and RBP by radial immunodiffusion technique. Seventy eight children (aged 18-119 months), 26 with current history of diarrhoea and 52 children as controls (outpatient from the Santa Casa de Misericórdia Hospital in metropolitan area of São Paulo City, Brazil) were studied. Children with history of diarrhoea showed significant low levels (mean +/- s.e.) as compared to controls, vitamin A (15.87 +/- 1.4 micrograms/dl vs. 21.14 +/- 1.15 micrograms/dl, p < 0.007) and RBP (1.70 +/- 0.2 mg/dl vs. 2.52 +/- 0.11 mg/dl). Multivariate logistic regression adjusted by sex, age, nutritional status and mother education revealed association between diarrhoea and inadequate levels of vitamin A and RBP.