[Serum levels of vitamin A and their relation with acute and persistent diarrhea].

75 patients, less than one year old, admitted in our Hospital, from January 1991 to april 1992 were divided in three groups: Group I: 25 controls, group II 25 patients with acute diarrhoea and group III 25 patients with persistent diarrhoea. The serological status of vitamin A was evaluated and classified as normal, not severe deficiency and severe deficiency. It was demonstrated that vitamin A deficiency is a risk factor for persistent diarrhoea.