Be wary of buying vitamin A online.

Recently, there has been a surge in the open sale of vitamin A on social media platforms, with advertisements posted in groups and orders accepted via text message. Worryingly, most of these products lack clear origins, have not been quality-tested by health authorities, and can be dangerous if used incorrectly, especially for young children.

Speaking with reporters, Ms. Le Thi Thuy (Cam Le ward) shared: "Currently, buying vitamin A through social media is common but carries many risks."

I've noticed many parents buy vitamin A supplements just because others are using them, without knowing what kind it is or if it's suitable for their child. Vitamin A isn't a supplement that can be taken indiscriminately; using the wrong dosage can be very dangerous. Therefore, I'm very concerned about this issue, especially with children."

Not only have citizens expressed concern, but health experts have also repeatedly issued warnings. According to Dr. Nguyen Dai Vinh, Director of the City's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vitamin A is not a medicine or a regular dietary supplement. It is a crucial micronutrient for visual development, immunity, and growth in children.

However, if used improperly, especially in excessive doses, it can cause acute poisoning, liver damage, neurological disorders, and long-term effects on the physical and intellectual development of young children.

According to Doctor Nguyen Dai Vinh, the high-dose vitamin A supplementation program is currently organized by the Ministry of Health twice a year, in June and December, through the commune and ward health station system.

The vitamin A doses in this program are strictly controlled in terms of quality, dosage, and target users to ensure absolute safety for children. Therefore, people should absolutely not buy vitamin A from unknown sources, especially through social media.

Ms. Le Tuong Vy (Lien Chieu ward) believes that, taking advantage of media information about the importance of vitamin A as a miracle cure for improving eyesight, increasing height, and boosting immunity, many people are widely selling vitamin A of unknown origin on social media.

"Some people even give instructions on how to use a high dose of vitamin A (200,000 IU) as follows: children from 6 months to 1 year old should take ½ tablet, children from 1 to 6 years old should take 1 tablet, children from 7 to 15 years old should take 2 tablets, and adults should take 4 tablets, every other day. However, I'm really concerned, because using an overdose of vitamin A can cause serious poisoning," Ms. Vy said.

Given the prevalence of vitamin A being sold online, doctors advise that vitamin A supplementation must be clearly prescribed by healthcare professionals, based on the child's age, nutritional status, and physical condition. Especially for children under 5 years old, who are particularly susceptible to vitamin A deficiency, incorrect dosage, overdose, or supplementation at the wrong time can be even more dangerous than not supplementing at all.

To safely prevent vitamin A deficiency, parents should supplement their children's diet with natural foods such as animal liver, carrots, pumpkins, green vegetables, eggs, and milk. At the same time, children should participate fully in free vitamin A supplementation programs at local health centers as recommended by the Ministry of Health.

In cases where children exhibit unusual symptoms such as nausea, headache, dizziness, or abdominal pain after taking vitamin A, especially if they have followed online "dosage instructions," parents should absolutely not attempt to treat the child at home. Children should be taken to the hospital as soon as possible for examination, monitoring, and timely treatment to avoid dangerous complications from vitamin A poisoning.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/canh-giac-voi-viec-mua-vitamin-a-tren-mang-xa-hoi-3265388.html