School-age children with vitamin A deficiencies are more likely to get gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses, according to a new study.
Published in the Journal of Nutrition, researchers analysed approximately 2,800 children in Colombia, aged between 5-12 over a twelve month period.
The study revealed that children with less vitamin A (retinol) in their blood had a higher incidence of diarrhoea with vomiting and cough with fever.
Specifically, the research found that for every ten micrograms per deciliter of retinol present in the blood, children experienced 18% fewer days with diarrhoea and vomiting, 10% fewer days of cough and fever, and 6% fewer visits to the doctor.
Read more at University of Michigan, Michigan State University