Measles severity and serum retinol (vitamin A) concentration among children in the United States

Low blood levels of retinol (vitamin A) may be associated with a more severe form of measles. Treatment with vitamin A should be considered for children who are hospitalized for measles. Blood levels of vitamin A were measured within five days of onset of a measles rash in 114 children who were five years old or younger. Seventy-two percent of the children had low blood levels of vitamin A. Average blood levels of vitamin A were lower in children who were hospitalized or who had pneumonia. Children with otitis media, or inflammation of the middle ear, had higher blood levels of vitamin A. Decreased blood levels of vitamin A has been associated with measles deaths among children in developing countries.