Effect of vitamin A supplementation on iron status in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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#adolescent #adult #anemia-iron-deficiency #biomarkers #child

Effect of vitamin A supplementation on iron status in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis

da et al., 2019 | Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr | Meta Analysis

Citation

da Cunha Marcela de Sá Barreto, Campos Hankins Natália Aboudib, Arruda Sandra Fernandes. Effect of vitamin A supplementation on iron status in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(11):1767-1781. doi:10.1080/10408398.2018.1427552

Abstract

Anemia is a worldwide public health problem that can be related to many causes, including vitamin A deficiency. The aim of this study was to assess and estimate the effect of vitamin A supplementation (VAS) on iron status biomarkers and anemia in humans. Six databases, including Cochrane, EMBASE, LILACS, Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science, were searched for clinical trials and cohort studies that investigated the effect of vitamin A supplementation alone on iron status and anemia, without time-restriction. The search yielded 23 eligible studies, 21 clinical trials and 2 cohort studies, with children, teenagers, pregnant or lactating women. The meta-analysis of the clinical trials showed that VAS reduces the risk of anemia by 26% and raises hemoglobin levels, compared to non-treated group, independent of the life stage. VAS did not alter the prevalence of iron deficiency among the clinical trials conducted with children and teenagers (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.12, p = 0.204), whereas a significant increase in serum ferritin levels was observed in trials conducted with pregnant and lactating women (WMD 6.61 μg/L; 95% CI 6.00 to 7.21 μg/L; p < 0.001). Therefore, vitamin A supplementation alone may reduce the risk of anemia, by improving hemoglobin and ferritin levels in individuals with low serum retinol levels.

Key Findings

Therefore, vitamin A supplementation alone may reduce the risk of anemia, by improving hemoglobin and ferritin levels in individuals with low serum retinol levels.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population low serum retinol levels
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition deficiency

MeSH Terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
  • Biomarkers
  • Child
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Databases, Factual
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Hemoglobins
  • Humans
  • Iron
  • Iron Deficiencies
  • Lactation
  • Pregnancy
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin A Deficiency

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-a

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09