Vitamin A Supplementation and Child Mortality

摘要: Objective. —A two-part meta-analysis of studies examining the relationship vitamin A supplementation and child mortality. Data Sources. —We identified by searching MEDLARS database from 1966 through 1992 scanning Current Contents bibliographies pertinent articles. Study Selection. —All 12 controlled trials with data on mortality in search were used analysis. Extraction. —Data independently extracted two investigators who also assessed quality each study using a previously described method. Synthesis. formally tested for heterogeneity across studies. We pooled Mantel-Haenszel DerSimonian Laird methods adjusted effect cluster assignment treatment groups community-based Vitamin to hospitalized measles patients was highly protective against (DerSimonian odds ratio, 0.39; 95% confidence interval, 0.22 0.66; P =.0004) (part 1 meta-analysis). Supplementation overall 0.70; clustering-adjusted 0.56 0.87; =.001) 2 Conclusions. —Vitamin supplements are associated significant reduction when given periodically children at community level. Factors that affect bioavailability large doses need be studied further. should all developing countries whether or not they have symptoms deficiency. ( JAMA . 1993;269:898-903)