The measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico took an unforeseen turn when vitamin A toxicity was reported in unvaccinated children. Some patients hospitalized for measles in West Texas developed vitamin A-induced liver damage. Health officials continue to emphasize vaccination as the best protection against measles.
Why are measles patients suffering from vitamin A toxicity?
West Texas health professionals are dealing with a disturbing side effect of measles treatment: vitamin A toxicity. Doctors at Lubbock's Covenant Children's Hospital said some of their measles patients had abnormal liver function, which is associated with excessive vitamin A consumption.
Doctors treated several unvaccinated children who were administered extremely high doses of vitamin A, resulting in liver damage, according to the New York Times. The move follows HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s recent public endorsement of supplements such as cod liver oil, which is rich in vitamin A, as a close-to-miracle remedy for measles. RFK Jr. was quoted in a Fox News report as saying,
While there is no approved antiviral for those who may be infected, CDC has recently updated their recommendation supporting administration of vitamin A under the supervision of a physician for those with mild, moderate, and severe infection. Studies have found that vitamin A can dramatically reduce measles mortality.Robert F. Kennedy Jr. HHS Secretary
Vitamin A has been found to decrease deaths caused by measles in research. But doctors warn that the large amounts should not be given on one's own.
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin A is 900 mcg daily for men and 700 mcg daily for women.
What is vitamin A toxicity? Vitamin A toxicity, or hypervitaminosis A, is caused by too much vitamin A building up in the body. Since it is fat-soluble, excess vitamin A cannot be easily eliminated from the body and will build up in the liver and cause adverse effects.
Symptoms of chronic vitamin A toxicity are:
Visual disturbances
Pain in bones and joints
Nausea and vomiting
Poor appetite
Sensitivity to sunlight
Hair loss
Dry skin
Headaches
Jaundice and liver damage
Developmental delay in children
Confusion and irritability
Itchy skin
Birth defects in pregnant females
As of March 20, there have been 378 confirmed cases of measles in 18 US jurisdictions, including Texas, New Mexico, California, Florida, and New York, reports the CDC.
Health experts point out that whereas vitamin A is involved in measles recovery under the care of a doctor, vaccination offers the best protection against measles. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is 97 percent effective when received in two doses.
As worries about vitamin A toxicity increase, health care providers advise the public to consult health care providers prior to ingesting large amounts of any supplements. The best and safest method for avoiding measles is vaccination.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Muhammad Faisal Arshad/MSM)