Role of vitamin A in immune enhancement and growth in children

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Minh Tuan - Pediatrician - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in many functions in the body. The main effect of vitamin A is to protect the eyes, prevent night blindness and especially help strengthen the immune system and growth in children.

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for the human body, exists in the form of many compounds, and is fat-soluble. In foods of animal origin, the main form of vitamin A in the alcohol form is retinol, in the aldehyde form retinal, or the acid form is retinoic acid. The precursors of vitamin A that exist in foods of plant origin include three types, α, β, γ - carotene found in some species of plants in the family Canopyaceae.
All forms of vitamin A have an isoprenoid chain attached to a beta-ionone ring. This structure is essential for the biochemical activity of vitamin A
Retinol: the animal form of vitamin A, yellow in color, oil soluble. Vitamin A is essential for vision and growth in children. Other retinols: are a class of chemicals that are chemically related to vitamin A and are used medicinally.

In the human body, vitamin A is involved in visual activity. The retina of the eye consists of two types of cells, cones and rods. In bright light conditions, cones with light-sensitive pigments and Iodopsin help the eye see and distinguish colors. In low light conditions, rod cells with rhodopsin pigment help the eyes to see in low light conditions, this is the function of columnar epithelial cells. Rhodopsin pigment is made up of protein and carotenoid compounds. In particular, carotenoids are derivatives of vitamin A, so when vitamin A is deficient, the ability to see in low light conditions will be reduced.
This phenomenon known as night blindness usually occurs at dusk. Night blindness is an early clinical manifestation of vitamin A deficiency.
Besides, vitamin A also plays an important role in strengthening the immune system and growth in children. If vitamin A deficiency will cause problems such as:
Eye diseases: dry eyes, dry cornea, corneal malaise, resulting in corneal scarring and permanent blindness Mucosal skin: degeneration, keratinization of cells epithelial cells Decreased immune function: reduced body's protective function, reduced immunity. Effects on children's growth: increase the rate of morbidity and mortality in children, slow weight gain, increase height. Early vitamin A deficiency will affect the intellectual development of school-age children.

The role of vitamin A in enhancing the immune system and growth in children includes:
Hematopoiesis : The mechanism of vitamin A's hematopoietic role is currently unknown. However, vitamin A deficiency is strongly associated with iron-deficiency anemia, and it is possible that vitamin A deficiency interferes with iron absorption, transport, and storage. Growth and development in children: Retinoic acid acts as a hormone in regulating the growth and development of tissues in the musculoskeletal system, helping children grow and develop. Epithelial protection: Vitamin A is necessary for the protection of the integrity of the corneal epithelium and other epithelial types such as subcutaneous epithelium, salivary glands, trachea, small intestine... A, will reduce the production of mucus, leading to dry, cracked and keratinized skin. This manifestation is often seen in the eyes, initially dry conjunctiva, then damage to the cornea. Damaged epithelial cells combined with a decrease in resistance have created conditions for bacteria to enter the body. Body immunity: Vitamin A and infection have a close relationship, in which vitamin A participates in the body's immune response. Currently, scientists are continuing to research to discover more important values ​​​​of vitamin A for human health. Immune response: vitamin A actively participates in human disease resistance due to its specific action on the body's cells. Anti-aging: Vitamin A prevents the development of free radicals and prolongs the aging process. Anti-cancer: Vitamin A precursors in vegetables and fruits have the function of inhibiting free radicals, leading to the prevention of some cancers. Vitamin A in fish oil does not have the ability to prevent disease and prevent cancer. In summary, vitamin A is an essential nutrient, exists in many forms of compounds, dissolves in oil and plays an important role in participating in many functions in the body, has the effect of protecting eyes, preventing night blindness. and especially to strengthen the immune system and growth in children. If vitamin A deficiency will cause eye diseases, reduce the body's protective function, reduce immunity. For young children, it slows down weight gain and increases height.
Early vitamin A deficiency affects the intellectual development of school-age children, and increases morbidity and mortality in children. Therefore, it is necessary to supplement vitamin A adequately, especially in young children, from foods rich in vitamin A.

In the case of children or adults with vitamin A deficiency causing health problems, they should go to medical centers to be checked by a doctor and have in-depth advice.
Vinmec International General Hospital is currently a reliable health check-up address for everyone from children, adults to the elderly. The examination process at Vinmec always meets international standards with a team of highly qualified and well-educated doctors who have been trained in domestic and foreign environments.
Conditions of facilities, modern equipment and machinery, serving the best process of medical examination and treatment. Therefore, customers can feel secure when visiting the hospital.