The effect of vitamin A supplementation on morbidity due to Plasmodium falciparum

  • Adillida Adillida
  • Yoyoh Yusroh
  • Munar Lubis
  • Bidasari Lubis
  • Tiangsa Sembiring
  • Syahril Pasaribu
Keywords: vitamin A supplementation, morbidity, Plasmodium falciparum

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of vitamin A supplementation
on malaria morbidity.
Methods The study was a randomized double-blind placebo-con-
trolled trial, conducted in Panyabungan, Mandailing Natal, North
Sumatera from April 2001 to April 2002. Children aged 6-60 months
suffering from falciparum malaria were randomly assigned to high
dose vitamin A or placebo every 4 months for a year. All children
were treated in accordance with health center policy. Malaria mor-
bidity was assessed from health center visit due to fever, diarrhea,
cough, or abdominal pain. Parents gave reports if their child re-
ceived malaria treatment from other health centers.
Results The number of febrile episodes (probable malaria illness)
was lower in the treatment group than that of control, but not sig-
nificant. The parasitemia was not different between both groups.
There was a significant difference in spleen enlargement between
the treatment group and control (p=0.04). There was no difference
in health center visit between the two groups.
Conclusion The findings suggest that vitamin A supplementation
has only effect on spleen enlargement in malaria.

Author Biographies

Adillida Adillida
Department of Child Health, Medical School, University of
Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia.
Yoyoh Yusroh
Department of Child Health, Medical School, University of
Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia.
Munar Lubis
Department of Child Health, Medical School, University of
Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia.
Bidasari Lubis
Department of Child Health, Medical School, University of
Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia.
Tiangsa Sembiring
Department of Child Health, Medical School, University of
Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia.
Syahril Pasaribu
Department of Child Health, Medical School, University of
Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia.

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Published
2016-10-10
How to Cite
1.
Adillida A, Yusroh Y, Lubis M, Lubis B, Sembiring T, Pasaribu S. The effect of vitamin A supplementation on morbidity due to Plasmodium falciparum. PI [Internet]. 10Oct.2016 [cited 22Nov.2024];44(4):133-. Available from: https://paediatricaindonesiana.org/index.php/paediatrica-indonesiana/article/view/751
Section
Articles
Received 2016-09-30
Accepted 2016-09-30
Published 2016-10-10