Efficacy of vitamin A in reducing preschool child mortality in Nepal
Efficacy of vitamin A in reducing preschool child mortality in Nepal
West et al., 1991 | Lancet | Rct
Citation
West K P, Pokhrel R P, ... Sommer A. Efficacy of vitamin A in reducing preschool child mortality in Nepal. Lancet. 1991-Jul-13;338(8759):67-71
Abstract
Community trials of the efficacy of vitamin A supplementation in reducing preschool childhood mortality have produced conflicting results. To resolve the question, a randomised, double-masked, placebo-controlled community trial of 28,630 children aged 6-72 months was carried out in rural Nepal, an area representative of the Gangetic flood plain of South Asia. Randomisation was carried out by administrative ward; the vitamin-A-supplemented children received 60,000 retinol equivalents every 4 months and placebo-treated children received identical capsules containing 300 retinol equivalents. After 12 months, the relative risk of death in the vitamin-A-supplemented compared with the control group was 0.70 (95% confidence interval 0.56-0.88), equivalent to a 30% reduction in mortality. The trial, which had been planned to last 2 years, was discontinued. The reduction in mortality was present in both sexes (relative risk for boys 0.77; for girls 0.65), at all ages (range of relative risks 0.83-0.50), and throughout the year (0.76-0.67). The reduction in mortality risk was not affected by acute nutritional status, as measured by arm circumference. Thus, periodic vitamin A delivery in the community can greatly reduce child mortality in developing countries.
Key Findings
Thus, periodic vitamin A delivery in the community can greatly reduce child mortality in developing countries.
Outcomes Measured
- Requires manual extraction
Population
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | See abstract |
| Sample Size | See abstract |
| Age Range | aged 6-72 |
| Condition | See abstract |
MeSH Terms
- Adult
- Capsules
- Cause of Death
- Child, Preschool
- Double-Blind Method
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Drug Evaluation
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Infant
- Male
- Nepal
- Nutritional Status
- Risk Factors
- Rural Health
- Survival Analysis
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin A Deficiency
Evidence Classification
- Level: Rct
- Publication Types: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
- Vertical: vitamin-a-growth
Provenance
- PMID: 1676467
- DOI: (not available)
- PMCID: Not in PMC
- Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API
Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09