Impact of vitamin A supplementation on childhood mortality. A randomised controlled community trial

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#capsules #child-preschool #clinical-trials-as-topic #community-health-services #diarrhea

Impact of vitamin A supplementation on childhood mortality. A randomised controlled community trial

Sommer et al., 1986 | Lancet | Rct

Citation

Sommer A, Tarwotjo I, ... Mele L. Impact of vitamin A supplementation on childhood mortality. A randomised controlled community trial. Lancet. 1986-May-24;1(8491):1169-73

Abstract

450 villages in northern Sumatra were randomly assigned to either participate in a vitamin A supplementation scheme (n = 229) or serve for 1 year as a control (n = 221). 25 939 preschool children were examined at baseline and again 11 to 13 months later. Capsules containing 200 000 IU vitamin A were distributed to preschool children aged over 1 year by local volunteers 1 to 3 months after baseline enumeration and again 6 months later. Among children aged 12-71 months at baseline, mortality in control villages (75/10 231, 7.3 per 1000) was 49% greater than in those where supplements were given (53/10 919, 4.9 per 1000) (p less than 0.05). The impact of vitamin A supplementation seemed to be greater in boys than in girls. These results support earlier observations linking mild vitamin A deficiency to increased mortality and suggest that supplements given to vitamin A deficient populations may decrease mortality by as much as 34%.

Key Findings

These results support earlier observations linking mild vitamin A deficiency to increased mortality and suggest that supplements given to vitamin A deficient populations may decrease mortality by as much as 34%.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 229
Age Range aged 12-71
Condition deficiency

MeSH Terms

  • Capsules
  • Child, Preschool
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Community Health Services
  • Diarrhea
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Indonesia
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Mortality
  • Random Allocation
  • Rural Health
  • Sex Factors
  • Time Factors
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin A Deficiency
  • Xerophthalmia

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Vertical: vitamin-a-immune

Provenance

  • PMID: 2871418
  • 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