CRN Cautions In opposition to “Misuse” of Vitamin A for Measles Prevention

The Council for Accountable Diet (CRN) issued a press release in response to current media experiences exhibiting some dad and mom are administering excessive doses of vitamin A to their kids in an try to forestall measles an infection.

“Measles is a severe and extremely contagious viral illness that may result in extreme well being problems. Remedy and take care of measles ought to all the time be performed underneath the steerage of a certified well being care practitioner,” mentioned Dr. Andrea Wong, senior vice chairman, scientific and regulatory affairs at CRN.

CRN emphasizes that vitamin A is an important nutrient for imaginative and prescient, progress, copy and immune operate, however it isn’t an alternative choice to vaccination. Regardless of its position in supporting immune well being, analysis has not demonstrated its effectiveness in stopping measles.

CRN is worried about experiences of high-dose vitamin A getting used “inappropriately” particularly in kids. Extreme consumption of vitamin A could result in opposed well being results, corresponding to liver injury, complications, dizziness, nausea and even loss of life. These dangers are exacerbated throughout being pregnant attributable to potential start defects.

In keeping with CRN, vitamin A could be administered therapeutically to folks already contaminated with measles—notably kids with vitamin A deficiencies—the place it has been proven to scale back severity and problems of the illness. Nevertheless, that is designed as a short-term medical intervention, not a preventative measure, and may solely be executed by a certified well being care skilled.

“Customers should make knowledgeable selections and seek the advice of certified well being professionals earlier than giving dietary supplements to kids—particularly in massive doses,” Wong mentioned. “Vitamin A is necessary for well being, however extra shouldn’t be all the time higher. Dad and mom ought to depend on medically authorized preventive measures, corresponding to vaccination, to guard their kids towards measles.”