Vitamin A in children's pneumonia for a COVID-19 perspective: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 trials

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#child #humans #covid-19 #vitamin-a #pneumonia

Vitamin A in children's pneumonia for a COVID-19 perspective: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 trials

Li et al., 2022 | Medicine (Baltimore) | Meta Analysis

Citation

Li Ruoxi, Zhao Wenli, ... Bu Huaien. Vitamin A in children's pneumonia for a COVID-19 perspective: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 trials. Medicine (Baltimore). 2022-Oct-21;101(42):e31289. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000031289

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To systematically review and meta-analyze the efficacy of vitamin A as an adjuvant therapy for pneumonia in children. METHODS: We searched in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang Database and Chongqing VIP information network from libraries building to March 2022, screening randomized controlled trials (RCT) about vitamin A combined with conventional therapy for pneumonia in children. Two researchers used the Cochrane risk of bias tool to assess the quality of included studies dependently. Data analysis was conducted in the RevMan 5.3. RESULTS: 15 trials involving 3496 patients (treated group: 1898; control group: 1598) were analyzed in this study. The Meta-analysis showed that vitamin A combined with conventional therapy improved clinical efficacy (P < .05), shortened the duration of fever and cough, negative time of chest X-ray, and the hospitalization, lung rale disappearance, choking milk disappearance, shortness of breath disappearance and perilabial cyanosis disappearance (P < .05). However, vitamin A combined with conventional therapy did not reduce the mortality of pneumonia in children (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Vitamin A contributes to relieve the clinical symptoms and signs, and also shorten the hospitalization.

Key Findings

15 trials involving 3496 patients (treated group: 1898; control group: 1598) were analyzed in this study. The Meta-analysis showed that vitamin A combined with conventional therapy improved clinical efficacy (P < .05), shortened the duration of fever and cough, negative time of chest X-ray, and the hospitalization, lung rale disappearance, choking milk disappearance, shortness of breath disappearance and perilabial cyanosis disappearance (P < .05). However, vitamin A combined with conventional t

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 3496
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Child
  • Humans
  • COVID-19
  • Vitamin A
  • Pneumonia
  • Cough
  • Fever

Evidence Classification

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

Provenance

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