Newborn vitamin A reduces infant mortality Jul 7, 2008
In the 1980s, Alfred Sommer, MD, MHS, demonstrated that vitamin A deficiency dramatically increased the risk of child mortality ... The control of vitamin A deficiency is a global goal of the World Health Organization and is considered one of the most cost-effective of all health interventions for saving young lives. (EurekAlert!)
Medical research is hindered by out-of-date laws Jul 5, 2008
At least two million people die each year of vitamin A deficiency, which causes blindness in 500,000 more. Sir John said: The present system of innovation for medicines is very inefficient and really somewhat corrupt. (Times Online)
Concerns expressed about maltreatment of pregnant adolescents Jun 29, 2008
They were also schooled in family planning, infant care, importance of child welfare clinics, malaria prevention during pregnancy and control of vitamin A deficiency in infants, Others issues discussed were infant growth monitoring and promotion, importance of immunization, community participation and male involvement in sexual and reproductive health matters. 29 June 08. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Congo-Brazzaville: Vitamin A Drive Targets Children Apr 5, 2008
Vitamin A deficiency leads to an increase in infectious and parasitic diseases, stunted mental and physical development, declining vision [night blindness] and ultimately blindness, as well as increasing the likelihood of developing anaemia due a reduction in red blood cells ... The UN Children's Fund says between 200 and 300 million pre-school children in developing countries are at risk of vitamin A deficiency. (allAfrica.com)
MMR vaccination provides triple shielding for children Apr 2, 2008
Vitamin A supplementation has been shown to reduce morbidity markedly and is prescribed when vitamin A deficiency is prevalent. Bacterial complications are treated with antibiotics. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- News)
The new organic Mar 16, 2008
It can also make food more nutritious: In 2011, plant breeders expect to release "golden rice," a genetically engineered variety that will help fight Vitamin A deficiency in the developing world, a disease that contributes to the deaths of 8 million young children each year. To successfully blend the two important strands of modern agriculture - genetic engineering and organic farming - we will need to overcome long animosity between the advocates of organic farming and conventional farmers. (Boston Globe)
Unlocking The Mysteries Of Vitamin A Metabolism During Embryonic Development Mar 3, 2008
Indeed, a severe embryonic vitamin A deficiency is readily attainable when the mothers are deprived of dietary vitamin A during pregnancy ... 15, 2006) Major intestinal surgery, including stomach reduction for obesity, may boost the chances of subsequent vitamin A deficiency, suggests a small study published ahead of print in the British Journal of. (Science Daily)
Supplements 'reduce malaria toll' Feb 7, 2008
For instance, vitamin A deficiency was a problem in West Africa during the rainy season, but not when palm oil was in plentiful supply. Dr Behrens also warned that too much zinc could have a negative impact on the body's ability to make use of other minerals, such as copper and selenium. (BBC News -- Health)
Farmers May Have Golden Rice by 2011 - IRRI Jan 31, 2008
HONG KONG - Genetically modified (GMO) Golden Rice may be available to farmers as early as 2011, possibly helping to save millions of children threatened with blindness or premature death due to Vitamin A deficiency. Robert Zeigler, director general of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), told Reuters it expected to release the GMO rice, enriched with Vitamin A, by 2011. (Planet Ark, United States)
Sierra Leone: Soccer Star Beckham Tours North Jan 25, 2008
com: Sierra Leone: Beckham On Child Survival (Page 1 of 1). Use our pull-down menus to find more stories. (allAfrica.com)
Corn to treat vitamin A deficiencies Jan 19, 2008
Vitamin A deficiency is an important cause of eye disease and other health problems in developing countries. Corn, also known as maize, is the dominant subsistence crop in much of Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa, where up to 30% of children under age 5 are vitamin A deficient. (India Times, India -- Health/Science)
Economical Way To Boost Vitamin A Content Of Corn Found Jan 19, 2008
Vitamin A deficiency is a leading cause of eye disease and other health disorders in the developing world. Some 40 million children are afflicted with eye disease, and another 250 million suffer with health problems resulting from a lack of dietary vitamin A.. (Science Daily)
New gene found to increase corn's vitamin A Jan 18, 2008
"Vitamin A deficiency is a big problem throughout the world, and it causes a lot of childhood blindness and a lot of immune deficiencies," Buckler said. Experts say vitamin A plays a key role in vision, bone growth, regulating the immune system and other functions. (Xinhuanet, China)
Vitamin A Supplements May Improve Infant Survival Dec 14, 2007
Because vitamin A deficiency testing is very costly, he added, "the general approach to a preventive intervention like this would be to provide it to all infants in populations with known vitamin A deficiency.". SOURCE: Journal of Nutrition, November 2007. (MEDLINEplus)
MOH launches Maternal and Child Health campaign for 2007 Nov 20, 2007
The nationwide campaign to be held from November 28-30 would scale up interventions against diseases of public health importance such as malaria, polio and Vitamin A deficiency affecting the children, pregnant and post-partum women ... She said the campaign was necessary to accelerate efforts in Ghana to improve the health and well-being of women and children adding that the success of the 2006 campaign against malaria, polio, vitamin A deficiency and measles was an encouragement. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Death of baby Gloria sparks hunt for truth Nov 6, 2007
Even though she was born a normal weight, she was underweight for her age, and had a zinc, protein and vitamin A deficiency, the Glebe Coroner's Court heard. Nurses at the Earlwood Early Childhood Centre had diagnosed that Gloria, an only child, had failed to reach developmental milestones from an early age, counsel assisting Chris Hoy told the court. (Sydney Morning Herald)
Sweet potato promise shines for small enterprise and hunger relief in developing countries Nov 3, 2007
Additional priorities for Sub-Saharan Africa included improved control of the sweetpotato weevil and cultivars with high beta carotene content to address Vitamin A deficiency. For China, priorities included: conservation and characterization of genetic resources, prebreeding, cultivars with high starch yield and new product development. (EurekAlert!)
Scientists have a new way to reshape nature, but none can predict the cost Oct 22, 2007
Some of these promises will be much like the "golden rice" that was used to promote GM, with claims that it would alleviate chronic vitamin A deficiency across Asia, but which has yet to materialise. However, no one doubts that there will be dramatic and benign applications of synbio. (Guardian Unlimited)
Modified plans Oct 16, 2007
And Golden Rice, developed by Syngenta, is said to be loaded with so much beta-carotene that it can combat the issues of Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) to the point that some say it can even prevent blindness ... "Golden rice can indeed contribute, in a cost-effective manner, to the alleviation of VAD [vitamin A deficiency], thereby easing children's suffering and, in many cases, saving their lives," he wrote. (CNN -- International)
GHS briefs media on World Sight Day Oct 9, 2007
Others are Vitamin A deficiency in children, malnutrition, measles, trauma, tumour and the application of harmful traditional medicines. He said among those who even survived death, about 90 per cent were said to be out of school and therefore had no meaningful future or hope for future development. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Millions of Nepali kids benefit from vitamin A supplement Oct 7, 2007
As a result, vitamin A deficiency among pre-school children is no longer a problem and deaths of an estimated 12,000 kid are being averted each year. The program aims at reducing child mortality and morbidity related to vitamin A deficiency by providing supplements of vitamin A capsules to children; treating xerophthalmia, severe malnutrition, prolonged diarrhoea and measles; and encouraging dietary intake of vitamin A and breastfeeding ... Vitamin A deficiency has been affecting approximately... (Xinhuanet, China)
MOH launches food fortification programme Oct 4, 2007
Mr Armah noted that in the case of Vitamin A, which was used in fortifying vegetable oil, current data indicated that about 72 per cent of the country's under-five population were affected by Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD), contributing to one in three deaths of children between the ages of six and 59 months. He said a draft legislative instrument aimed at regulating the importation of food products was currently before Parliament, while a 30-member NFFA composed of representatives from public... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Know your product Sep 1, 2007
In India almost 60 per cent of preschool children suffer vitamin A deficiency. Iron deficiency affects about 70 per cent of women in India and almost 50 per cent in Sub-Saharan Africa. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Uganda: North Leads in Polygamy - Health Survey Aug 17, 2007
In addition, seven in 10 children below five are classified as anaemic and 20% has Vitamin A deficiency. On HIV/Aids, general knowledge is high. (allAfrica.com)
Why does it take so long for our vision to adjust to a darkened theater after we come in from bright sunlight? Aug 15, 2007
(The ultimate source of retinal is dietary vitamin A; this is the reason why an early sign of vitamin A deficiency is night blindness. . (Scientific American)
Vitamin A May Be Our Most Critical Defense Aug 8, 2007
Vitamin A deficiency is linked to many vision problems in children and is a major public health problem in more than half the countries around the world ... What's worst, 80 percent of blindness is, in fact, preventable, which is why Schiffer launched an aggressive worldwide campaign called, "Operation 20/20" to eradicate childhood blindness caused by vitamin A deficiency by the year 2020. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Doubling Doses Of Vitamin A Does Not Help Mothers And Children Jun 25, 2007
Professor Andrew Prentice, International Nutrition Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK, and colleagues studied 220 women-infants pairs in an area of moderate vitamin A deficiency in Gambia ... The authors conclude: Our results do not lend support to the proposal to increase the existing WHO standard dosing schedule for vitamin A in areas of moderate vitamin A deficiency ... The comment, by Professor Bernard Brabin, Child and Reproductive Health Group, Liverpool, UK and also... (Science Daily)
Standard Vitamin A Dose Best for African Children Jun 23, 2007
This study by researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine's International Nutrition Group included 220 women-infant pairs in a region of moderate vitamin A deficiency in Gambia ... "Our results do not lend support to the proposal to increase the existing WHO standard dosing schedule for vitamin A in areas of moderate vitamin A deficiency. Caution is urged for future studies, because trials have shown possible adverse effects of higher doses of vitamin A and potential... (Health-Finder)
Understanding Orange Cauliflower May Lead To More Nutritious Crops Jun 4, 2007
Developing staple crops with more vitamin A is important because vitamin A deficiency, common in developing countries, leads to compromised immune systems and is the leading cause of blindness in children. "A large percentage of the human population depends on staple crops for nutrition," said Li, an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics and a scientist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture -- Agricultural Research Service's U.S. Plant, Soil and Nutrition... (Science Daily)
Reaching out from the ground up Jun 3, 2007
5 million children nationwide are suffering from iron-deficiency-induced anemia and marginal vitamin A deficiency. "These fortified products were very useful for the villagers," Nia said. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
Cte d'Ivoire: Growing Poverty Worsens Malnutrition Rates May 10, 2007
The prevalence of Vitamin A deficiency is 68 percent in the north, 32. 2 percent in the northwest and 40 percent in the south, he said. (allAfrica.com)
Vitamin A May Boost Vaccine Effectiveness in Kids Apr 25, 2007
In regions of the world where vitamin A deficiency is common, preschool-aged children are often given vitamin A supplements along with vaccinations for tetanus and other pathogens, according to background information in the study. However, whether vitamin A supplementation has an immediate effect on the immune system's response to the vaccine, or whether vitamin A helps immune response to vaccines only later in life, had not been tested, said a team from Pennsylvania State University. (Health-Finder)
3.7 mln Nepali kids getting vitamin A Apr 21, 2007
The National Vitamin A program is being carried out since 1993 with the objective of bringing down infant mortality, checking night blindness and other vitamin A deficiency diseases. Every year this program alone is said to save the lives of 12, 000 children from untimely deaths in the country, the daily said. (People's Daily Online, China)
OPT: One-third of Palestinians 'food insecure' Mar 22, 2007
More than 22 percent of children aged between one and five had a vitamin A deficiency - levels higher than 20 percent are considered a severe public health problem. Lack of work. (Reuters AlertNet)
Law to fortify wheat flour and vegetable oil soon Mar 21, 2007
He said available records indicated that 72 per cent of children between two and five years suffered from Vitamin A deficiency while the prevalence rate of anaemia among them was 76 per cent.. Mr Pentsil said the prevalence rate of anaemia among women of reproductive age was 41 per cent and interventions adopted for two essential micronutrients, Vitamin A and iron, included supplementations, dietary diversification and public health education. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Child blindness in India 5 times higher than elsewhere: Study Mar 19, 2007
"Ignorance and harmful traditional practices can unwittingly lead to blindness," it said, adding "Certain States such as Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are prone to high rates of childhood blindness due to Vitamin A deficiency, cataract and eye-injuries". The study stresses that "In a number of cases, parental intervention can help reduce incidence of eye problems". (Hindu)
Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer Feb 24, 2007
These include a high fat diet (in particular saturated and animal fat) and vitamin A deficiency. However, a high fiber , soy-based diet and one rich in lycopene, selenium and vitamin E may be protective. (Suite101.com)
Those Who Once Were Blind Can Learn To See, Study Shows Feb 22, 2007
Most of the affected children live in remote areas where eye care is not available, so conditions that could be easily treated, such as cataracts, vitamin A deficiency or conjunctivitis, often lead to blindness. In many such cases, blindness can be deadly: Blind children in India have a 15-year-shorter life expectancy than sighted children, and half of them die before the age of 5, according to Sinha. (Science Daily)
India emerging biotech leader in Asia Feb 17, 2007
Saturday, February 17, 2007. India emerging as key biotech leader in Asia. (Hindustan Times, India)
Brain 'can beat early blindness' Feb 17, 2007
Most of the affected children live in remote areas where eye care is not available, and have conditions that could easily be treated, such as cataracts, vitamin A deficiency or conjunctivitis. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology team hope to reach more of these children through Project Prakash. (BBC News)
'Orange' Cauliflower Gene Eyed As Nutrition Booster Jan 26, 2007
The research may make a huge impact on vitamin A deficiency, which has been reported to affect some 250 million children worldwide, according to Li. That's because beta-carotene, which gives orange carrots their color, is a carotenoid--fruit-and-vegetable compounds that the body converts into essential vitamins and uses as antioxidants beneficial to health. (Science Daily)
Low Vitamin A Linked to Small Infant Kidneys Jan 11, 2007
If the link between maternal vitamin A and fetal kidney size is confirmed by larger studies, "there may be important public health implications for regions of the world where maternal vitamin A deficiency is prevalent," the researchers conclude. However, Phadke noted that vitamin A supplements are not routinely recommended for pregnant women in India, because of the narrow therapeutic dose range. (MEDLINEplus)
Andrew Kantor Jan 5, 2007
In fact, according to the World Health Organization, Vitamin A deficiency is responsible for one to two million deaths and half a million cases of irreversible blindness every year, mostly affecting children. If your child was going to die or go blind, and the cure had only a theoretical chance of being dangerous, would you turn it down. (USA Today -- Tech)
Malnutrition Is Cheating Its Survivors, and Africa’s Future Dec 28, 2006
More than a half million suffer vitamin A deficiency, which cripples young immune systems; merely ensuring adequate vitamin A can lower child mortality by more than one- fifth ... One in 15 pregnant women experiences night blindness, indicating vitamin A deficiency and a diet devoid of protein and red or yellow fruits and vegetables. (The Ledger)
India 'exports' measles bug to Oz Dec 22, 2006
"Measles is specially lethal in developing countries like India with high malnourishment and vitamin A deficiency. With the precise pattern and number of cases unclear, India is finally developing a better surveillance system for the disease," Wenger said. Presently, the injectable measles vaccine is administered only once, when a child is nine months old. (India Times, India -- Community News)
Researchers Discover How A Key Dietary Vitamin Is Absorbed Dec 3, 2006
(June 15, 2006) -- Major intestinal surgery, including stomach reduction for obesity, may boost the chances of subsequent vitamin A deficiency, suggests a small study published ahead of print in the British Journal of ... (August 14, 1998) -- Efforts to battle vitamin A deficiency have been thrown a curve: Carotenoids that promote vitamin A production -- and are often consumed in mass quantities when available -- are not sufficiently. (Science Daily)
Famine in a time of solutions Nov 26, 2006
Bill Dyer, professor of plant sciences and pathology at Montana State University, explained that this rice which includes genetically inserted Vitamin A can help protect the millions of people in Africa and Southeast Asia who die or the hundreds of thousands who are rendered permanently blind by Vitamin A deficiency every year. The professor s further remarks supplemented other things I had previously learned about genetically modified foods through reading and interviews that there are... (Montana Standard, MT)
Ghanas bid to save 20,000 young lives Nov 2, 2006
We are making a lot of savings by ensuring that our children are protected against measles, polio, Vitamin A deficiency and malaria all at once. . (Ghana Web, Ghana)
New era for rice Oct 13, 2006
International Rice Research Institute is spearheading research on rice varieties that are rich in essential micronutrients, such as iron and Vitamin A. In India, nearly 60 per cent of children under age six suffer from sub-clinical Vitamin A deficiency. Most of the rice produced in Asia depends on irrigation, and irrigation is the single largest user of water resources. (Times of India)
This man has saved the sight of 200 million Sep 28, 2006
Ghana at the time had appalling problems with blindness, so Ridley researched the effect of vitamin A deficiency and leprosy. He then began to tackle river blindness (ocular onchocerciasis) and, with two colleagues, developed an understanding of river blindness that revolutionised its control. (TimesOnline)
For Super-obese Patients, Duodenal Switch Beats Gastric Bypass Sep 23, 2006
(June 15, 2006) -- Major intestinal surgery, including stomach reduction for obesity, may boost the chances of subsequent vitamin A deficiency, suggests a small study published ahead of print in the British Journal of. . (Science Daily)
ZAMBIA: Scepticism about fortified maizemeal Aug 24, 2006
Vitamin A deficiency was first recognised as a health hazard in the 1960s and was immediately linked to high prevalence of blindness in northern Zambia. Six years ago, government legislation made it mandatory for sugar companies to add vitamin A to their products. (IRINnews.org)
Intestinal surgery can affect eyes years later Aug 22, 2006
Ocular disorders that can result from vitamin A deficiency include dry eye, softening of the cornea, damage to the retina, and night blindness, Drs ... The two researchers, from the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, reviewed the records of patients diagnosed with vitamin A deficiency last year and identified four cases related to gastrointestinal surgery ... Eye tests showed abnormalities in all three cases and lab tests confirmed vitamin A deficiency, the investigators report. (Scientific American)
Nature Conservancy Exec Says There Are Cougars in Michigan Jun 20, 2006
According to Fijalkowski, all wild cats in the world suffer from Vitamin A deficiency. "The first meal the cougar wants to take even before he leaves the carcass that he will eat on for a week, he wants to eat the heart, liver and lungs, because they are full of Vitamin A." He added, "He opens up that chest and gets his Vitamin A dose before a bear or pack of wolves takes the carcass away from him." Fijalkowski said, "These are our cougars. They have always been here. They did not come from... (Paw Paw Courier Leader, MI)
Vitamin A Deficiency Linked To Major Intestinal Surgery Jun 16, 2006
Major intestinal surgery, including stomach reduction for obesity, may boost the chances of subsequent vitamin A deficiency, suggests a small study published ahead of print in the British Journal of Ophthalmology ... All the patients were diagnosed with vitamin A deficiency, and this was in spite of them having taken vitamin supplements ... Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of childhood blindness in developing countries, and is caused by malnutrition. (Science Daily)
Gastric Bypass May Boost Blindness Risk Jun 16, 2006
THURSDAY, June 15 (HealthDay News) -- A boom in gastric bypass surgery could lead to an unwelcome trend: an increase in vitamin A deficiency among patients that raises their risk for vision loss ... The study, published in the current issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology, focused on three patients over age 65 who had been diagnosed with vitamin A deficiency ... Blindness or poor eyesight is one of the first symptoms of vitamin A deficiency, which results from malnutrition and is the... (Health-Finder)
Beware the big green political monster May 6, 2006
He said: "I left in the mid-'80s when the policy started to drift away from science and logic into these kind of zero-tolerance positions that I believe are based more on sensation and fund-raising around scare tactics. Look at the campaign against genetically modified crops and the whole 'Frankenstein food' these are scare words that are attached to what is actually one of the most important advances to genetic science in history for example, taking a gene from corn and creating the 'golden... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Global Measles Deaths Plunge by Nearly Half Over Past Six Years Mar 11, 2006
A trusted source of newsand information since 1942. " In a remarkable turnabout, Dr. Strebel says, the estimated measles cases and deaths in sub-Saharan Africa now has dropped by 60 percent, the largest reduction anywhere. He says the campaign was given a major boost by the Measles Initiative launched in 2001. The Initiative is a partnership formed to reduce and control measles deaths. It is led by the American Red Cross, the U.N. Foundation, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, UNICEF and WHO.... (Voice of America)
Anti-blindness drive backfiresAddMyLinkImage("/news/181_1628839,0035.htm", "Anti-blindness drive backfires"); Feb 18, 2006
It reports that 'osteoporosis and hip fracture are associated with preformed vitamin A intakes that are only twice the current RDA'," says Dr Umesh Kapil, a professor at AIIMS."No studies of children have been done, so we don't know whether the government's supplementation is hurting them," he adds.Though the government has no plan to halt the programme, nutrition experts say it is expected to undergo a major overhaul for the 11th Five Year Plan."We are going to review the programme for the 11th... (Hindustan Times, India)
Juicy tomatoes could pack in some lung protection says study Jan 11, 2006
Baybutt also explained this relationship through another connection wherein the cigarette smoke component benzopyrene is known to induce vitamin A deficiency. But Emphysema predominantly known to be a smokers' disease is itself a bit of an enigma given there being a certain genetic predilection to the condition. (Earthtimes.com)
