Delayed Growth

Vitamin A deficiency can result in stunted growth in children. This is due to the fact that vitamin A is required for optimal human growth.

Vitamin A supplementation, alone or in combination with other nutrients, has been demonstrated in several trials to enhance growth. The majority of these researches were carried out on children in developing countries. One research in Indonesia found that children with vitamin A deficiency who took high-dose supplements for four months grew 0.15 inches (0.39 cm) quicker than those who received a placebo. Supplementing with vitamin A in combination with other nutrients, on the other hand, may have a greater influence on development than supplementing with vitamin A alone, according to a review of research. For example, in South Africa, children with stunted growth who got multiple vitamins and minerals had a half-point better length-for-age score than those who received only vitamin A.