Clinical Study Title:
Impact of neonatal vitamin A supplementation on infant morbidity and mortality.

Plain English Summary:

This study looked at the use of vitamin A supplementation on infant mortality and illness. A total of 2067 newborns were included in this study. About half of the newborns were given a vitamin A supplement on the day they were born, while the other half received a placebo. Follow up of these infants showed that those who were given a vitamin supplement had less risk of mortality. Additionally, those infants were brought in less often for illness. This suggests that the use of a vitamin A supplement at birth can help to prevent against infant mortality and illness.

Authors

Humphrey JH. Agoestina T. Wu L. Usman A. Nurachim M. Subardja D. Hidayat S. Tielsch J. West KP Jr. Sommer A.

Institution

Division of Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Country of Publication

United States

Source

Journal of Pediatrics. 128(4):489-96, 1996 Apr.