Abstract

Aim: It is accepted that due to the inerease in consumption and loss of vitamin A during infection, the level of vitamin is reduced. This results in tendeney to infections. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin A supplementation and impact on clinical recovery in childhood pneumonia. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, plasebo-controlled study included 62 children with non-measles and uncomplicated pneumonia between 3 months and 5 years of age. Diagnosis of pneumonia was made with clinical, physical, radiological evaluation of the patients. Exclusion criteria were patients with measles and other exanthematous diseases, asthma, tuberculosis, pleural effusion, empyema, lung abcess, associated chronic diseases and malnutrition. Patients were evaluated in two groups; the "vitamin A" and the "placebo" group. Patients younger than 12 months of age, were given 100.000 IU and 50.000 IU vitamin A on day 1 and 2, respectively; patients older than 12 months of age were given 200.000 IU and 100.000 IU vitamin A on day 1 and 2, respectively. Placebo medication was given on the same days. Blood samples for serum retinol, retinol binding protein (RBP) and B-caroten levels were drawn before vitamin A supplementation. RBP levels were studied with NANORID™ Radial Immunodiffusion Kit GD 117.3, Retinol and fi-karoten levels were studied with Neeld-Pearson procedure. Statistical analysis was performed by using student-t and chi-square tests. P<0.05 was accepted significant. Results: The vitamin A group and placebo group mean retinol levels were 36.8±19.8 and 36.9±15.3 ug/dL; mean RBP levels were 36.5±12.5 and 35.4±10.2 mg/L; mean B-caroten levels were 156.8±65.9 and 147.8±57.7 ug/dL, respectively. None of the patients in the study groups revealed vitamin A levels less than 10 fjg/dL (0.35 umol/L), which is considered cut-off value for vitamin A deficiency. There were non-significant differences between the two groups in terms of vitamin A levels and clinical follow up scores. Conclusion: High doses of vitamin A supplementation have no beneficial effect on the course of non-measles, uncomplicated childhood pneumonia and should not be used for therapeutic goals, un less there is a clinical evidence of vitamin A deficiency.