Effects on Hematopoiesis in Children Suffering from Iron Deficiency Anemia with Vitamin A Supplementation

Objective: To study the effect of the supplementation of vitamin A along with standard dose of iron on hematopoiesis in children with documented iron deficiency anemia. Design: A hospital based prospective study. Place and Duration: Carried out for 6 months on children with documented iron deficiency anemia in OPD and indoor patients of the department of paediatric medicine, Medical College Kolkata. Methods: Thirty children (1-12 years age) presenting with iron deficiency anemia (hemoglobin less than 10g/dl, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) < 75fl, and serum iron < 55 mcg/dl) were studied in two groups of 15 each. Group I was supplemented with iron (ferrous sulphate 3 mg/kg/d) while group II in addition to iron was also supplemented with vitamin A (5000 IU/d).Collected data were expressed as mean +/SE. Comparison of variables was done by using student t test or chi square test as applicable. p< 0.0001 was taken as statistically significant. Results: Hemoglobin concentration was found significantly increased after 4 weeks of iron supplementation. Rise in hemoglobin was comparatively more in-group II, as compared to group I, after 4 and 8 weeks. Conclusions: The result of this study suggests that supplementation of vitamin A improves hematopoiesis.