Abstract
BACKGROUND: We have proposed the hypothesis that the combination of vitamin A supplementation and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccination may be associated with increased mortality in girls. Recent zinc/folic acid (FA) and iron supplementation trials did not find any beneficial effects on mortality. We reviewed the studies for evidence of a negative interaction between zinc/folic acid/iron and DTP vaccination in girls.
METHODS: Based on the published papers, we calculated age- and sex-specific mortality estimates. No vaccination status data were provided.
RESULTS: Both zinc/FA and iron seemed to have a sex- and age-differential effect, the effect being less beneficial in the youngest girls who are most likely to have DTP vaccine as their most recent vaccination.
CONCLUSIONS: Like vitamin A, zinc/FA and iron may not benefit the youngest girls. The question is whether this is inherent in girls or due to an interaction with some environmental factor like DTP.
Original language | English |
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Journal | International Journal of Epidemiology |
Volume | 38 |
Issue number | 2 |
Pages (from-to) | 586-90 |
Number of pages | 5 |
ISSN | 0300-5771 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2009 |
Keywords
- Age Factors
- Child Mortality
- Child, Preschool
- Dietary Supplements
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine
- Drug Interactions
- Female
- Humans
- Infant
- Infant Mortality
- Iron
- Male
- Micronutrients
- Sex Factors
- Vitamin A
- Zinc
- Journal Article
- Review