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International Journal of Epidemiology 2003;32:822-828
© International Epidemiological Association 2003

Infection

Hypothesis: Vitamin A supplementation and childhood mortality: amplification of the non-specific effects of vaccines?

Christine Stabell Benn1, Carlitos Balé1, Halvor Sommerfelt2, Henrik Friis3 and Peter Aaby1

1 Projecto de Saude de Bandim, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, and Danish Epidemiology Science Centre, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
2 Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Norway.
3 Research Department of Human Nutrition, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg, Denmark

Christine Stabell Benn, Danish Epidemiology Science Centre, Statens Serum Institut, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark. E-mail: cb{at}ssi.dk.

Most areas of health research will have accepted data and a dominating interpretation. If the interpretation is not correct, contradictions will accumulate, and it will eventually become clear that the current interpretation is untenable. In this situation, the best hypothesis is the one that accounts for all of the known data as well as the apparent contradictions. The area of vitamin A supplementation and childhood mortality in developing countries is afflicted with many contradictions and there is a need for a new hypothesis. We propose that the effect of vitamin A supplementation may depend on the amplification of non-specific effects of vaccines on childhood mortality.

Keywords Vitamin A, childhood mortality, vaccines, hypothesis

Accepted 23 April 2003


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