Absorption of labelled vitamin A in children during infection

The intestinal absorption of [11,12 3 H 2 ] retinyl acetate was studied in five apparently normal children, eight children with respiratory infection and three with gastroenteritis. 2. The absorption of vitamin A was significantly lower in children with respiratory infection or gastroenteritis than in normal children. 3. In the light of these observations, it is suggested that repeated attacks of infections may significantly contribute to the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in children of poor communities.