Measles severity and serum retinol (vitamin A) concentration among children in the united states

Background. Studies in developing countries have shown that children with measles have low serum retinol concentrations and that lower retinol levels are associated with measles-related mortality. Vitamin A therapy has been shown to reduce mortality among African children with acute measles. Objectives. To determine whether serum retinol concentration is low among children with measles in the United States and to determine whether retinol concentration is associated with illness severity. Setting. Pediatric referral hospital and clinic in Milwaukee, WI, during the measles outbreak of 1989-1990. Patients. One hundred fourteen patients ≤5 years of age evaluated for serologically confirmed measles with serum obtained within 5 days following rash onset