The effect of vitamin A supplementation on Morbidity Due to Plasmodium Falciparum

Objective To investigate the effect of vitamin A supplementation on malaria morbidity. Methods The study was a randomized double-blind placebo-con- trolled trial, conducted in Panyabungan, Mandailing Natal, North Sumatera from April 2001 to April 2002. Children aged 6-60 months suffering from falciparum malaria were randomly assigned to high dose vitamin A or placebo every 4 months for a year. All children were treated in accordance with health center policy. Malaria mor- bidity was assessed from health center visit due to fever, diarrhea, cough, or abdominal pain. Parents gave reports if their child re- ceived malaria treatment from other health centers. Results The number of febrile episodes (probable malaria illness) was lower in the treatment group than that of control, but not sig- nificant. The parasitemia was not different between both groups. There was a significant difference in spleen enlargement between the treatment group and control (p=0.04). There was no difference in health center visit between the two groups. Conclusion The findings suggest that vitamin A supplementation has only effect on spleen enlargement in malaria.