Plasma retinol level, vitamin A supplementation and acute respiratory infections in children of 1–5 years old in a developing country

Background. Vitamin C, E, D, A, zinc are considered to be essential in preventing and treating of acute respiratory infections (ARI) including COVID-19. Methods. We reviewed published studies evaluating the potential roles of these vitamin and zinc for ARIs and COVID-19 using Medline database, medRxiv, and bibliographic references. Results. Vitamins C, D, and E did not reduce incidence of common cold in general, but vitamin C reduced by half in population with physical and environment stresses. Vitamins C and E shortened duration and reduced severity of common cold. A large-dose vitamin A had no effect on recovery from pneumonia. Zinc improved clinical deterioration and pneumonia duration in under five. The effect on preventing COVID-19 morbidity and related-death was lacking. Conclusions. Although the effects of vitamins and zinc on ARIs including COVID-19 were inconclusive, taking these for a short period during pandemic may be beneficial when there is risks of deficiency.

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Risk Factors for Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) Among Under-five Children in Bangladesh

Journal of Scientific Research ◽

10.3329/jsr.v1i1.1055 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 72-81 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Kazi Md. Abul Kalam Azad

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Vitamin A ◽

Adolescent Mothers ◽

Home Visiting ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Vitamin A Deficiency ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Childhood Mortality ◽

Acute Respiratory Infections ◽

Mortality And Morbidity

Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is a major cause of childhood mortality and morbidity in Bangladesh. The aim of this study is to identify the significant risk factors for ARI in children less than five years of age. The data in this study comes from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2004. In this study, a child was considered as having experienced ARI if she or he had cough in the last two weeks preceding the survey with any one of the three symptoms of short but rapid breathing, difficulty of breathing or labored inspiration. Logistic regression was used on various independent variables to find the risk factors. Results showed that child's age, sex, body weight and Vitamin A deficiency were correlated with prevalence of ARI. Additionally mother's characteristics like age, malnutrition, education level, and family's socio-economic status were found to be associated. Recommendations include more specific knowledge of ARI to adolescent mothers from the lowest wealth quintile. A community service which could include home visiting for health education, supplementation of vitamin A, and advice would be an advantage if provided for poor or teenaged pregnant women. This in turn would reduce low birth weight incidence, and subsequently reduce incidence of ARI among these children.Keywords: Acute respiratory infections (ARI); Risk factors; Infant; Child under 5 years; Bangladesh.© 2009 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237(Print); 2037-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.DOI: 10.3329/jsr.v1i1.1055

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