Title |
Malaria and vitamin A deficiency in African children: a vicious circle?
|
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Published in |
Malaria Journal, June 2009
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DOI | 10.1186/1475-2875-8-134 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Miguel A SanJoaquin, Malcolm E Molyneux |
Abstract |
Vitamin A deficiency and malaria are both highly prevalent health problems in Africa. Vitamin A deficiency affects over 30 million children, most of whom are in the age-group (under five years) most affected by malaria. Vitamin A deficiency increases all-cause mortality in this part of the population, and malaria is an important cause of death in children at this age. A low serum retinol concentration (a marker of vitamin A deficiency) is commonly found in children suffering from malaria, but it is not certain whether this represents pre-existing vitamin A deficiency, a contribution of malaria to vitamin A deficiency, or merely an acute effect of malaria on retinol metabolism or binding. In this paper, available evidence in support of a causal relationship in each direction between vitamin A deficiency and malaria is reviewed. If such a relationship exists, and especially if this is bidirectional, interventions against either disease may convey an amplified benefit for health. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Brazil | 1 | 25% |
Canada | 1 | 25% |
Unknown | 2 | 50% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 4 | 100% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 2 | 2% |
India | 1 | <1% |
France | 1 | <1% |
Ghana | 1 | <1% |
Unknown | 115 | 96% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Master | 25 | 21% |
Student > Bachelor | 18 | 15% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 17 | 14% |
Researcher | 11 | 9% |
Student > Postgraduate | 9 | 8% |
Other | 17 | 14% |
Unknown | 23 | 19% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 36 | 30% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 21 | 18% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 10 | 8% |
Immunology and Microbiology | 4 | 3% |
Environmental Science | 4 | 3% |
Other | 19 | 16% |
Unknown | 26 | 22% |