MALABSORPTION OF WATER MISCIBLE VITAMIN-A IN CHILDREN WITH GIARDIASIS AND ASCARIASIS

Vitamin A absorption was studied using a water-miscible oral preparation of vitamin A in 19 children ages 1.5 to 9 yr old with giardiasis and/or ascariasis, both before and after their eradication with appropriate therapy, and in 3 children without parasites. Marked impairment of vitamin A absorption was noted when administered in a water miscible form in children with (1) combined infection with Giardia lamblia and Ascaris lumbricoides, (2) giardiasis alone, and (3) in a proportion of children with ascariasis alone. In children with both giardiasis and ascarasis eradication of the infections promptly lead to a significant improvement in vitamin A absorption and restored it to normal. Children with giardiasis alone also showed improved vitamin A absorption after therapy. In children with ascariasis alone successful therapy did not lead to a statistically significant improvement.