Giving Vitamin A To Children Must Be Careful, Here's The Reason

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JAKARTA - Pediatrician from Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital Himawan Aulia Rahman said that the provision of vitamin A must still be carried out in the midst of this pandemic situation by complying with health protocols.

"Why is it important? Because vitamin A deficiency or deficiency is quite high in developing countries such as Indonesia. Worldwide, vitamin A deficiency occurs in 30 percent of children under the age of 5 years," Himawan said when contacted by Antara, Monday, August 9th.

For children who are affected by COVID-19, giving vitamin A can still be done. Parents can ask for vitamin A capsules from the nearest posyandu or health center and then give them to their children at home. However, he emphasized that the condition of parents and children's families also needs to be confirmed first.

"If the parents are also positive for COVID, for example the family is positive for COVID, they must self-isolate. So it can be postponed until the self-isolation is complete. But don't delay it too long. It must still be given this month," said the doctor who is a member of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association. (IDAI) this.

Himawan explained that the delay in giving Vitamin A had no side effects. However, the dosage of Vitamin A needs to be considered. Therefore, consuming excessive vitamin A is not recommended because it can cause poisoning.

Regarding the dose of vitamin A given regularly, Himawan said that in general it has been adjusted and is safe for children. Furthermore, Himawan explained that vitamin A is very important to be given because it cannot be produced for the body. In addition, vitamin A is also very important for the eye because it can prevent Xerophthalmia disorders. Then, vitamin A also plays a role in the differentiation of body cells, including cells that play a role in body development.

"So why do we have to give the first vitamin A because it can't be formed by the body and second, we need it in small amounts for the functions I mentioned earlier," said Himawan.

Himawan explained that vitamin A deficiency causes around 500 thousand pre-school children worldwide to go blind.

"There has been research, if giving vitamin A routinely to children in endemic areas of vitamin A deficiency, it can reduce child mortality by about 5 to 15 percent, so that the implementation of routine vitamin A is not only beneficial for the eye organs or body cells. children, but can also reduce under-five mortality," he explained.