Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Vitamin A (including its form, vitamin A acetate) has scientific backing for use in the treatment and prevention of diarrhea, particularly among children in developing countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommend vitamin A supplementation for children with acute measles and those at risk of deficiency, as vitamin A deficiency is strongly associated with increased severity and duration of diarrheal diseases. Several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have demonstrated that vitamin A supplementation reduces morbidity and mortality from diarrheal diseases in vitamin A-deficient populations. The mechanism is thought to be related to vitamin A’s role in maintaining the integrity of epithelial tissues, including the gastrointestinal mucosa, and supporting immune function. By enhancing mucosal immunity and repair, vitamin A may help reduce the severity and duration of diarrhea. However, it is important to note that in populations where vitamin A deficiency is not prevalent, supplementation does not appear to yield significant benefits for diarrhea management. Most guidelines recommend routine vitamin A supplementation only in high-risk or deficient populations, and not as a universal treatment for diarrhea. In summary, the use of vitamin A for diarrhea is scientifically validated, but its benefit is context-dependent, primarily applicable in areas with a high prevalence of vitamin A deficiency.

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