[Changes in retinol, hemoglobin and ferritin concentrations in Colombian children with malaria]

[[[ Introduction: ]]] Malaria, anemia and intestinal parasitism can co-exist in certain populations of Colombian children. The effects of retinol supplementation and anti-intestinal parasite treatment in children with malaria is unknown. Changes after this treatment of with respect to hemoglobin, retinol, ferritin and C reactive protein levels have not been previously monitored. [[[ Objective: ]]] The effect of simultaneous intervention with antimalarial, retinol supplementation and anti-intestinal parasites treatment will be monitored by examining levels of hemoglobin, ferritin, retinol and C reactive protein in children with malaria. [[[ Materials and methods: ]]] A non-blind experimental study was conducted in 93 children with malaria, aged 4-10 years. Each was randomly allocated to one of the following groups: (1) treatment with antimalarial and retinol supplement (Group MA); (2) treatment with antimalarialretinol supplement and anti-parasitic drug (Group MAP); (3) treatment with antimalarial and antiparasitic drug (Group MP), and (4) treatment only with antimalarials (Group M). The groups were observed for 30 days, with haemoglobin, ferritin, retinol and C reactive protein evaluated on days 0, 8 and 30 after treatment. [[[ Results: ]]] Mean values for the children at day 0 were as follows: hemoglobin 10.3 +/- 1.6 g/dL, retinol 19.1 +/- 6.0 microg/dL, C reactive protein 75 +/- 63 mg/L and ferritin 213 +/- 203 microg/L. On day 30 after treatment, hemoglobin and plasma retinol concentrations increased in 1.4 +/- 1.4 g/dL and 11.5 +/- 8.1 microg/dL, whereas the C reactive protein and ferritin concentrations decreased to 66 +/- 60 mg/L, and 184 +/- 203 microg/L, respectively. No statistically significant differences appeared among the groups. On day 8, significant differences between the groups were observed in hemoglobin concentrations Group MAP was higher when compared to other groups. [[[ Conclusion: ]]] On day 30, hemoglobin and retinol were high, whereas C reactive protein was low. Simultaneous administration of a retinol supplement and anti-parasite treatment prevented hemoglobin reduction observed on day 8 without changes in other variables.