The Journal of infectious diseases
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Vitamin A deficiency impairs epithelial integrity and systemic immunity and increases the incidence and severity of infections during childhood. However, findings from vitamin A supplementation trials are not consistent. Supplementation has resulted in significant reductions in mortality in several (but not all) large community-based trials among apparently healthy children. ⋯ Vitamin A supplements also reduced the severity of diarrhea in most (but not all) trials. Potential explanations for the differences in efficacy across trials are reviewed. While vitamin A supplementation is effective in reducing total mortality and complications from measles infections, it is likely to be more effective in populations suffering from nutritional deficiencies.