Document 0018
 DOCN  M95B0018
 TI    The effects of vitamin A supplementation on the morbidity of children
       born to HIV-infected women [see comments]
 DT    9511
 AU    Coutsoudis A; Bobat RA; Coovadia HM; Kuhn L; Tsai WY; Stein ZA;
       Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Natal,;
       Durban, South Africa.
 SO    Am J Public Health. 1995 Aug;85(8 Pt 1):1076-81. Unique Identifier :
       AIDSLINE MED/95351433
 CM    Comment in: Am J Public Health 1995 Aug;85(8 Pt 1):1049-50
 AB    OBJECTIVE. The effects of vitamin A supplementation on morbidity of
       children born to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women were
       evaluated in a population where vitamin A deficiency is not endemic.
       METHODS. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of vitamin A
       supplementation was carried out in 118 offspring of HIV-infected women
       in Durban, South Africa. Those assigned to receive a supplement were
       given 50,000 IU of vitamin A at 1 and 3 months of age; 100,000 IU at 6
       and 9 months; and 200,000 IU at 12 and 15 months. Morbidity in the past
       month was then recalled at each follow-up visit. Analysis was based on
       806 child-months. RESULTS. Among all children, the supplemented group
       had lower overall morbidity than the placebo group (OR = 0.69; 95%
       confidence interval [CI] = 0.48, 0.99). Among the 85 children of known
       HIV status (28 infected, 57 uninfected), morbidity associated with
       diarrhea was significantly reduced in the supplemented infected children
       (OR = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.27, 0.99), whereas no effect of supplementation
       on diarrheal morbidity was noted among the uninfected children.
       CONCLUSION. In a population not generally vitamin A deficient, vitamin A
       supplementation for children of HIV-infected women appeared to be
       beneficial, reducing morbidity. The benefit was observed particularly
       for diarrhea among HIV-infected children.
 DE    Adult  Candidiasis, Oral/ETIOLOGY/PREVENTION & CONTROL  Diarrhea,
       Infantile/ETIOLOGY/PREVENTION & CONTROL  Disease Transmission, Vertical
       Double-Blind Method  Female  Human  HIV Infections/COMPLICATIONS/*DRUG
       THERAPY/TRANSMISSION  Infant, Newborn  Odds Ratio  Respiratory Tract
       Infections/ETIOLOGY/PREVENTION & CONTROL  Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
       Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.  Vitamin A/BLOOD/*THERAPEUTIC USE  CLINICAL
       TRIAL  JOURNAL ARTICLE  RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).