BACKGROUND: We have proposed the hypothesis that the combination of vitamin A supplementation and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccination may be associated with increased mortality in girls. Recent zinc/folic acid (FA) and iron supplementation trials did not find any beneficial effects on mortality. We reviewed the studies for evidence of a negative interaction between zinc/folic acid/iron and DTP vaccination in girls. METHODS: Based on the published papers, we calculated age- and sex-specific mortality estimates. No vaccination status data were provided. RESULTS: Both zinc/FA and iron seemed to have a sex- and age-differential effect, the effect being less beneficial in the youngest girls who are most likely to have DTP vaccine as their most recent vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Like vitamin A, zinc/FA and iron may not benefit the youngest girls. The question is whether this is inherent in girls or due to an interaction with some environmental factor like DTP.
BACKGROUND: We have proposed the hypothesis that the combination of vitamin A supplementation and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccination may be associated with increased mortality in girls. Recent zinc/folic acid (FA) and iron supplementation trials did not find any beneficial effects on mortality. We reviewed the studies for evidence of a negative interaction between zinc/folic acid/iron and DTP vaccination in girls. METHODS: Based on the published papers, we calculated age- and sex-specific mortality estimates. No vaccination status data were provided. RESULTS: Both zinc/FA and iron seemed to have a sex- and age-differential effect, the effect being less beneficial in the youngest girls who are most likely to have DTP vaccine as their most recent vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Like vitamin A, zinc/FA and iron may not benefit the youngest girls. The question is whether this is inherent in girls or due to an interaction with some environmental factor like DTP.
Authors: Peter Aaby; Christine Benn; Jens Nielsen; Ida Maria Lisse; Amabelia Rodrigues; Henrik Ravn Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2012-05-22 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Christine S Benn; Peter Aaby; Rob J W Arts; Kristoffer J Jensen; Mihai G Netea; Ane B Fisker Journal: Int J Epidemiol Date: 2015-07-02 Impact factor: 7.196
Authors: Osman Sankoh; Paul Welaga; Cornelius Debpuur; Charles Zandoh; Stephney Gyaase; Mary Atta Poma; Martin Kavao Mutua; S M Manzoor Ahmed Hanifi; Cesario Martins; Eric Nebie; Moubassira Kagoné; Jacques B O Emina; Peter Aaby Journal: Int J Epidemiol Date: 2014-05-30 Impact factor: 7.196