Hypervitaminosis A: Effects of Toxic Vitamin A Doses

The document discusses hypervitaminosis A, highlighting its severe effects when vitamin A is consumed in toxic doses. In experimental rats, doses over 15,000 units daily led to weight loss, emaciation, hair loss, bone softening, and death within 2-4 weeks. Two cases in children are described, where excessive vitamin A intake resulted in symptoms like anorexia, irritability, sparse hair, and bone sensitivity. In both cases, symptoms subsided after stopping vitamin A intake. One detailed case involves a 14-month-old male with severe pruritus, sparse hair, and bone pain, linked to high vitamin A intake from Oleum percomorphum. Recovery was noted after discontinuing vitamin A.