Malaria and vitamin A deficiency in African children: a vicious circle?

Sanjoaquin, Miguel and Molyneux, Malcolm E (2009) 'Malaria and vitamin A deficiency in African children: a vicious circle?'. Malaria Journal, Vol 8, Issue 134.

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Abstract

Vitamin A deficiency and malaria are both highly prevalent health problems in Africa. Vitamin A deficiency affects over 30 million children, most of whom are in the age-group (under five years) most affected by malaria. Vitamin A deficiency increases all-cause mortality in this part of the population, and malaria is an important cause of death in children at this age. A low serum retinol concentration (a marker of vitamin A deficiency) is commonly found in children suffering from malaria, but it is not certain whether this represents pre-existing vitamin A deficiency, a contribution of malaria to vitamin A deficiency, or merely an acute effect of malaria on retinol metabolism or binding. In this paper, available evidence in support of a causal relationship in each direction between vitamin A deficiency and malaria is reviewed. If such a relationship exists, and especially if this is bidirectional, interventions against either disease may convey an amplified benefit for health.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	WD Disorders of Systemic, Metabolic or Environmental Origin, etc > Nutrition Disorders > WD 100 General works WS Pediatrics > WS 100 General works WS Pediatrics > Diseases of Children and Adolescents > General Diseases > WS 200 General works WS Pediatrics > Child Care. Nutrition. Physical Examination > WS 115 Nutritional requirements. Nutrition disorders WC Communicable Diseases > Tropical and Parasitic Diseases > WC 750 Malaria WD Disorders of Systemic, Metabolic or Environmental Origin, etc > Nutrition Disorders > WD 105 Deficiency diseases WS Pediatrics > By Age Groups > WS 440 Preschool child
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-8-134
Depositing User:	Users 43 not found.
Date Deposited:	26 Mar 2010 12:06
Last Modified:	17 Aug 2022 08:56
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/376

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