Effect of vitamin A supplementation on measles-specific antibody levels in Guinea-Bissau

Lancet. 2002 Apr 13;359(9314):1313-4. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(02)08274-0.

Abstract

We have previously reported that vitamin A supplementation with measles vaccine at age 9 months increases measles-specific antibody concentrations in children at age 18 months compared with placebo. We examined these children when they reached age 6-8 years. Fewer vitamin A-supplemented children had non-protective antibody concentrations (p=0.0095); among children with protective antibody levels, vitamin A-supplemented children tended to have higher geometric mean antibody titres (p=0.09). Thus, simultaneous administration of vitamin A and measles vaccine at age 9 months had a long-term effect on measles-specific antibody levels and may contribute to improved measles control in less-developed countries.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Measles / immunology*
  • Measles / mortality
  • Measles / prevention & control
  • Measles Vaccine*
  • Vitamin A / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Measles Vaccine
  • Vitamin A