20 measles-infected children in Long Beach, California, were assessed for vitamin A status. 50% were found to be deficient in vitamin A. The authors stated this deficiency occurred among presumably well-nourished American children and... "supports evaluation of vitamin A status as part of acute management of measles in the United States." As critical first-line immune cells known as natural killer cells require a steady influx of vitamin A to maintain their efficiency in eliminating the measles virus, low vitamin A would be expected to elevate symptom severity and increase negative outcomes.
ABSTRACT
Studies from Africa suggest that vitamin A supplementation may reduce morbidity and mortality rates associated with measles among poorly nourished children. We studied 20 children with measles in Long Beach, Calif., and found that 50% (95% confidence interval; 28% to 72%) were vitamin A deficient. This frequency among presumably well-nourished American children supports evaluation of vitamin A status as part of the acute management of measles in the United States.