| Abstract | A randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted with 236 preschool children, age 3-6 y, in Indonesia to assess immune status in mild vitamin A deficiency. The immune response to tetanus immunization was used as a measure of immune competence. Clinically normal children (n = 118) and children with mild xerophthalmia (n = 118) were randomly assigned to receive oral vitamin A (60,000 micrograms retinol equivalent) or placebo treatment for a total of four study groups. Two weeks after treatment, children were immunized with diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine. The immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses to tetanus at baseline and 3 wk following immunization were measured by ELISA. After adjusting for previous tetanus immunization, clinically normal and xerophthalmic children receiving vitamin A had a significantly greater IgG response to tetanus than clinically normal and xerophthalmic children receiving placebo (P less than 0.05). These results suggest that children with mild vitamin A deficiency have a relative immune depression compared with children who have been supplemented to normal vitamin A levels. |
| Authors | R D Semba, Muhilal, A L Scott, G Natadisastra, S Wirasasmita, L Mele, E Ridwan, K P West Jr, A Sommer
(Affiliation: Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology, Wilmer Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205.)
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| Journal | The Journal of nutrition
(J Nutr)
Vol. 122
Issue 1
Pg. 101-7
(Jan 1992)
ISSN: 0022-3166 UNITED STATES |
| PMID | 1729457
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
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| Chemical References |
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| Topics |
- Antibody Formation
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Double-Blind Method
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Tetanus Toxoid
(immunology)
- Vitamin A
(blood, therapeutic use)
- Vitamin A Deficiency
(immunology)
- Xerophthalmia
(diet therapy)
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