|
DSpace at icddr,b >
Child Health >
Child health research papers >
| Title: | Low-dose beta-carotene supplementation and deworming improve serum vitamin A and beta-carotene concentrations in preschool children of Bangladesh |
| Authors: | Haque, Rashidul
Ahmed, Tanvir
Wahed, M.A.
Mondal, Dinesh
Rahman, A.S.M.
Albert, M. John |
| Keywords: | Ascaris lumbricoides
Anthelmintics
Albendazole
Dietary Supplements
Poverty
Vitamin A
beta Carotene
Male
Female
Humans |
| Issue Date: | Jun-2010 |
| Citation: | J Health Popul Nutr 2010 Jun;28(3):230-7 |
| Abstract: | Despite the national vitamin A and antihelminthic prophylaxis programmes, both intestinal geohelminths and subclinical vitamin A deficiency continue to be prevalent among children in developing countries. Studies on potential synergistic effects of vitamin A supplementation and deworming on retinol status have inconsistent results. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impacts of low-dose beta-carotene supplementation and antihelminthic therapy on serum retinol and beta-carotene concentrations in preschool children of Bangladesh. Two hundred and forty-four children, known to be infected with Ascaris lumbricoides, were randomized into four treatment groups: I-IV. Group I and II received two oral doses of 400 mg of albendazole each, the first dose at baseline and the second dose after four months; Group III and IV received placebo in place of albendazole. In addition, Group I and III received 1.2 mg of beta-carotene powder in capsule daily for six months, and Group II and IV received placebo in place of beta-carotene. Serum retinol and beta-carotene levels were measured before and after six months of the interventions. Serum retinol and beta-carotene increased significantly in Group I where both antihelminthic therapy and daily beta-carotene supplementation were given (p<0.05 and p<0.001 respectively). Antihelminthic therapy alone only improved serum beta-carotene concentration (p<0.0001). Low-dose beta-carotene supplementation, along with an antihelminthic therapy, synergistically improved vitamin A status. This finding has public-health implications for improving vitamin A status of children in developing countries |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/3033 |
| Appears in Collections: | Child health research papers
|
Files in This Item:
| File |
Description |
Size | Format |
|---|
| 2010-JHPN-230-HaqueR.pdf | | 235Kb | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
|
This item is protected by original copyright
|
All items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved.
|
