What is the expected outcome of vitamin A supplementation in measles?

What is the expected outcome of vitamin A supplementation in measles?

• A. Decreased morbidity and mortality
• B. Decreased transmission of measles
• C. No effect on disease outcome
• D. Increased risk of fever

Answer: (A)

Vitamin A helps protect mucosal surfaces and supports immune function, which is crucial during measles. When a child with measles is given vitamin A, it replenishes stores quickly and reduces the severity of the infection, lowering the risk of serious complications such as pneumonia, diarrhea, and eye problems, and ultimately decreasing the risk of death. It does not directly reduce how contagious the disease is (transmission) and it does not increase fever; those outcomes are not expected. Therefore, the expected outcome of vitamin A supplementation in measles is decreased morbidity and mortality.

Vitamin A helps protect mucosal surfaces and supports immune function, which is crucial during measles. When a child with measles is given vitamin A, it replenishes stores quickly and reduces the severity of the infection, lowering the risk of serious complications such as pneumonia, diarrhea, and eye problems, and ultimately decreasing the risk of death. It does not directly reduce how contagious the disease is (transmission) and it does not increase fever; those outcomes are not expected. Therefore, the expected outcome of vitamin A supplementation in measles is decreased morbidity and mortality.