Vitamin A supplements for preventing mortality, illness, and blindness in children aged under 5: systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To determine if vitamin A supplementation is associated with reductions in mortality and morbidity in children aged 6 months to 5 years.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis. Two reviewers independently assessed studies for inclusion. Data were double extracted; discrepancies were resolved by discussion. Meta-analyses were performed for mortality, illness, vision, and side effects.

Data sources

Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in the Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, Global Health, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences, metaRegister of Controlled Trials, and African Index Medicus. Databases were searched to April 2010 without restriction by language or publication status.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

SUBMITTER: Mayo-Wilson E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3162042 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature