Measles patients in West Texas show vitamin A toxicity: What is it?

Amidst the ongoing measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico, health experts are facing another challenge, vitamin A toxicity. Some of the measles patients in West Texas showed signs of vitamin A toxicity. Patients at the Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock had abnormal liver function, according to a report by CNN reported, which is often linked to excessive doses of vitamin A.

Physicians at the hospital told The New York Times that they have now treated a handful of unvaccinated children who were given so much vitamin A that they had signs of liver damage.

This comes amidst HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. endorsed supplements such as cod liver oil containing vitamin A as a near miraculous cure for measles. RFK Jr., recently wrote on Fox News that, “While there is no approved antiviral for those who may be infected, CDC has recently updated their recommendation supporting administration of vitamin A under the supervision of a physician for those with mild, moderate, and severe infection. Studies have found that vitamin A can dramatically reduce measles mortality.”

Though doctors sometimes administer high doses of vitamin A in a hospital to manage severe measles, experts do not recommend taking it with the supervision of physicians. Health agencies, including CDC and WHO continue to stress that the most effective way to prevent measles is the vaccine. Two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine have shown 97 percent effectiveness.

Vitamin A toxicity among people trying to prevent measles is a growing concern. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

What is vitamin A?

Vitamin A is an important fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in many foods. It supports the immune system, vision, reproductive health, and fetal growth. Two forms of vitamin A are found in food - as preformed vitamin A, and as provitamin A carotenoids. Preformed vitamin A is found in fish, organ meats (such as liver), dairy products, and eggs, while pro while provitamin A carotenoids are abundant in plant foods like fruits, vegetables, and oils.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin A is 900 mcg and 700 mcg per day for men and women, respectively.

What is vitamin A toxicity?

Vitamin A toxicity, also known as hypervitaminosis A, occurs when you consume vitamin A in excess, leading to harmful levels in the body. As it is fat-soluble, excess vitamin A isn’t easily excreted through urine like water-soluble vitamins (e.g., vitamin C). This can lead to its accumulation in the organs, particularly the liver.

Chronic vitamin A toxicity aka hypervitaminosis A can lead to:

• vision disturbances
  
• joint and bone pain
  
• poor appetite
  
• nausea and vomiting
  
• sunlight sensitivity
  
• hair loss
  
• headache
  
• dry skin
  
• liver damage
  
• jaundice
  
• delayed growth
  
• decreased appetite
  
• confusion
  
• itchy skin
  

Vitamin A toxicity can also lead to birth defects in pregnant women.
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According to CDC, as of March 20, a total of 378 confirmed measles cases were reported in the US. The case are located in 18 jurisdictions: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, and Washington.