Effect of Vitamin A on the Clinical Outcome of Acute Rotavirus Diarrhea in Preschool Children

Background:Rotavirus infection is the most significant cause of severe dehydrating diarrhea, responsible for 510 million fatalities annually despite vaccinations. Acute rotavirus is the leading cause of vitamin A insufficiency by many mechanisms.
Aims:To study the acute prognostic clinical effect of the addition of vitamin A on treating preschool-age patients with confirmed infection with acute rotavirus diarrhea.
Materials and methods:A randomized, double-blind study of 55 children from 6 to 72 months aged in Al-Hussein hospital for children with positive acute rotavirus infection from October 2022 to May 2023 in Al-Diwaniya city in Iraq, was classified into two groups with a vitamin A dose of 100000 IU for those age less than 12 months and 200000 IU for those older given in the first day of involvement, while the other group received a placebo.
Results:Vitamin A significantly decreased stool consistency and frequency to significant levels and reduced the diarrheal severity of acute rotavirus and the period of hospitalization from 7.18 days to 5 days only.
Conclusion:Vitamin A intake in acute rotavirus infections significantly reduces the severity of diarrhea and hospitalization.