Understanding the Approaches for Vitamin A Deficiency

November 21, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the World Health Organization, vitamin A deficiency (VAD) affects millions of preschool-age children globally, making it a major public health concern. Addressing vitamin A deficiency is critical for effective treatment and preventing serious health complications, such as blindness and a weakened immune system.

Quick Summary

A guide to the approaches for addressing vitamin A deficiency, covering acute and chronic strategies for adults and children based on international and national health guidelines, and emphasizing the importance of medical supervision.

Key Points

Approaches vary by age: Treatment protocols differ significantly for infants, children, and adults to support effectiveness and safety.
WHO provides guidance: In high-prevalence areas, the World Health Organization suggests specific supplementation schedules for children aged 6 to 59 months.
Excessive intake is a consideration: High intake of preformed vitamin A can lead to acute or chronic issues (hypervitaminosis A), potentially causing liver damage and other complications.
Special considerations for some patients: Individuals with malabsorption issues, such as cystic fibrosis or post-bariatric surgery patients, may need alternative delivery methods like injections.
Diet is a crucial component: In addition to supplements, a balanced diet rich in both animal-based retinoids and plant-based carotenoids is essential for prevention and management.
Consult a healthcare provider: Due to the potential for complications and the variability of individual needs, all vitamin A supplementation should be done under medical supervision.

Why Vitamin A Is Essential and What Happens During Deficiency

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin vital for numerous bodily functions, including vision, immune function, cell growth, and reproduction. When the body does not receive enough vitamin A, it can lead to a condition known as vitamin A deficiency (VAD). A hallmark symptom is night blindness, where an individual has difficulty seeing in low-light conditions. Other more severe symptoms can include dry eyes (xerophthalmia), Bitot's spots (foamy patches on the eye), and increased susceptibility to infections. In severe cases, VAD can lead to permanent blindness and higher mortality rates, especially among children.

Addressing Vitamin A Deficiency

Addressing VAD typically involves targeted vitamin A supplementation (VAS), and the approach can differ significantly based on the patient's age and the severity of the deficiency. It is crucial that treatment is administered under medical supervision to avoid potential complications, especially in children and pregnant women.

World Health Organization (WHO) Guidance for Children

In regions with a high prevalence of VAD, the WHO provides specific guidance for universal supplementation programs. Infants (6 to 11 months) typically receive a one-time oral approach, while children (12 to 59 months) commonly receive oral approaches at intervals.

For addressing xerophthalmia in children, the WHO recommends multi-day oral protocols based on age, including administration on day 1, day 2, and again after two weeks.

Approaches for Adults with Vitamin A Deficiency

For adults with diagnosed VAD, treatment often follows a phased approach. This may include initial intensive therapy followed by maintenance therapy and long-term care with a daily multivitamin to prevent recurrence.

Special Cases and Considerations

Individuals with malabsorption issues or those who have undergone bariatric surgery may require alternative administration methods like intramuscular injections or long-term supplementation with regular monitoring.

Comparison of Vitamin A Approaches for Children and Adults


Feature	Children (6-59 months)	Adults	Pregnant Women at Risk	Special Cases (Malabsorption)
Standard WHO Supplementation (High-prevalence areas)	Specific oral schedules based on age	Not applicable	Lower daily or weekly oral approaches are common (avoiding high intake due to potential effects on the fetus)	Varies, often requires alternative methods
Acute Severe Deficiency (e.g., xerophthalmia)	Multi-day oral protocols based on age	Daily oral approaches for a period, followed by a lower daily approach	Use lower approaches under strict medical supervision	Varies, potentially alternative methods
Maintenance Therapy	Balanced diet or age-appropriate multi-vitamin	Daily oral multivitamin for a period	Safe food sources of vitamin A and standard recommended intake	Ongoing supplementation, regular monitoring
Risk of Excessive Intake	High sensitivity; amounts must be carefully managed	Possible with long-term, very high intake	Significant risk of birth defects with high intake	Risk varies, requires close monitoring

The Risks of Excessive Vitamin A Intake

Excessive intake of preformed vitamin A can lead to hypervitaminosis A, with symptoms ranging from headache and nausea in acute cases to liver damage and bone pain with long-term excessive intake. High intake is particularly dangerous during pregnancy due to the risk of birth defects. The tolerable upper intake level (UL) for adults from preformed sources exists. Beta-carotene from plants is generally not associated with these risks.

The Role of Diet in Preventing and Managing Deficiency

Along with supplementation, a diet rich in vitamin A is crucial. This includes preformed vitamin A from animal sources and provitamin A carotenoids from plant sources.

Animal Sources (Retinoids):

Beef liver
Eggs
Fortified milk and dairy products
Salmon

Plant Sources (Carotenoids):

Sweet potatoes
Carrots
Spinach and other dark leafy greens
Pumpkin
Red bell peppers
Mangoes
Dried apricots

A diverse diet and medical advice on supplementation are key to managing and preventing vitamin A deficiency. Always consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially with severe symptoms or suspected underlying conditions.

Conclusion

Addressing vitamin A deficiency is vital, especially in high-risk groups. Appropriate approaches, guided by organizations like the WHO and healthcare professionals, are essential to manage symptoms and help avoid complications. Due to potential risks, medical supervision for supplementation is highly recommended. A combination of targeted supplementation and a vitamin A-rich diet is a key strategy. Always consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice. ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/

Frequently Asked Questions

For an adult with a severe deficiency, an initial approach often involves a daily method for a few days, followed by a lower daily method for a period, under medical supervision.

For a child over 12 months with severe deficiency like xerophthalmia, the WHO suggests an oral approach on day 1, day 2, and again after two weeks.

No, pregnant women should avoid high intake of vitamin A due to the significant risk of birth defects. Supplementation should be done at much lower, controlled approaches and only under strict medical supervision.

Signs of excessive vitamin A intake (hypervitaminosis A) can include headache, nausea, blurred vision, dry skin, liver considerations, and bone discomfort. Acute issues are often caused by a single very large intake, while chronic issues result from prolonged excessive intake.

You can get vitamin A from foods like beef liver, eggs, and dairy products (preformed vitamin A), or from plant sources like sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, and mangoes (provitamin A carotenoids).

No, it is highly unlikely to experience issues from eating excessive provitamin A carotenoids found in plant-based foods like carrots. The body regulates the conversion of carotenoids to vitamin A, and excess carotenoids are not typically problematic in the same way as excessive preformed vitamin A.

Preformed vitamin A (retinol) is an active form found in animal products, while provitamin A carotenoids (like beta-carotene) are plant-based precursors that the body converts into vitamin A.