Symptoms of vitamin a toxicity

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Symptoms of Vitamin A Toxicity

Acute Vitamin A Toxicity Symptoms

Acute vitamin A toxicity, also known as hypervitaminosis A, can occur when a person ingests a large amount of vitamin A in a short period. Symptoms of acute toxicity include severe headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and blurred vision 14. In infants, acute toxicity can present as bulging of the fontanelle, which is the soft spot on a baby's head . These symptoms are usually reversible once the excessive intake of vitamin A is stopped .

Chronic Vitamin A Toxicity Symptoms

Chronic vitamin A toxicity results from prolonged intake of high doses of vitamin A. Common symptoms include dry skin, alopecia (hair loss), and nail dystrophy 56. Patients may also experience severe headaches, intracranial hypertension, and generalized weakness . Chronic toxicity can lead to more severe conditions such as osteoporosis, hip fractures, and liver damage, including hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity 3910. In some cases, chronic toxicity can cause noncirrhotic portal hypertension, which may necessitate liver transplantation if symptoms do not improve after cessation of vitamin A intake .

Neurological Symptoms

Vitamin A toxicity can also have significant neurological effects. Symptoms such as pseudotumor cerebri, which mimics the symptoms of a brain tumor, including severe headaches and visual disturbances, are well-documented . Intracranial hypertension, characterized by increased pressure within the skull, is another serious neurological symptom associated with chronic vitamin A toxicity 68.

Hepatic Symptoms

Liver damage is a critical concern in vitamin A toxicity. Symptoms can range from mild liver function test abnormalities to severe liver disease and even liver failure 25. Histopathologic changes in the liver due to vitamin A toxicity include hypertrophy and hyperplasia of hepatic stellate cells, focal pericellular fibrosis, and minimal, predominantly microvesicular steatosis . In severe cases, patients may develop ascites, a condition where fluid accumulates in the abdomen, and require liver transplantation .

Dermatological Symptoms

Chronic vitamin A toxicity often manifests in the skin. Symptoms include rough and dry skin, chapped lips, and alopecia, particularly of the eyebrows . These dermatological symptoms are often early indicators of excessive vitamin A intake and can help in the early diagnosis of toxicity.

Conclusion

Vitamin A toxicity presents with a wide range of symptoms affecting various body systems. Acute toxicity primarily causes gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms, while chronic toxicity leads to more severe dermatological, hepatic, and skeletal issues. Awareness of these symptoms is crucial for early diagnosis and prevention of severe complications. Reducing excessive vitamin A intake and monitoring for early signs of toxicity can help mitigate these risks.

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Most relevant research papers on this topic

Vitamin A intoxication in adults: report of a case with a summary of the literature.

Vitamin A intoxication in adults presents uniform symptoms, often overlooked by physicians, and can be differentiated into acute and chronic types, requiring early recognition and prevention.

Case ReportHighly Cited

1961·

81citations

·W. H. Stimson

Hepatic hydrothorax associated with vitamin a toxicity.

Excessive vitamin A use can cause hepatic hydrothorax, a potentially fatal respiratory condition, and physicians should be aware of toxic manifestations of excessive vitamin use.

Case Report

2002·

18citations

·R. Miksad et al.

The acute and chronic toxic effects of vitamin A.

Subtoxicity without clinical signs of toxicity may be a growing concern, with osteoporosis and hip fractures linked to intakes only twice the current RDA for adults.

Highly Cited

2006·

440citations

·K. Penniston et al.

Safety of vitamin A.

Vitamin A toxicity is rare and associated with overconsumption of supplements, but deficiency can cause xerophthalmia and permanent blindness, and increased mortality rates in children.

Highly Cited

1989·

235citations

·Adrianne Bendich et al.

Vitamin A toxicity: When one a day doesn't keep the doctor away

Vitamin A toxicity can cause severe liver disease and liver failure, and liver transplantation is a valid option when symptoms persist despite medication cessation.

Case Report

2006·

41citations

·R. Cheruvattath et al.

Intracranial hypertension secondary to low doses of vitamin A

Chronic intake of low doses of vitamin A can cause intracranial hypertension, with symptoms ranging from mild headaches to severe headaches and generalized weakness.

Case Report

2022·

0citations

·F. Dach et al.

Acute toxicity of vitamin A given with vaccines in infancy

Vitamin A supplementation with vaccines in infancy may cause episodes of bulging of the fontanelle, but no other side effects were observed.

RCTHighly Cited

1993·

85citations

·A. Francisco et al.

Vitamin neurotoxicity

Vitamin A neurotoxicity is more likely than most other vitamins, and high vitamin intake is more hazardous to peripheral organs than the nervous system.

2008·

35citations

·S. Snodgrass

Evaluation of vitamin A toxicity.

Vitamin A toxicity can cause adverse effects, especially in children and pregnant women, with 25,000 IU/d being the maximum recommended intake.

Highly Cited

1990·

355citations

·J. Hathcock et al.

Effect of cholestin on toxicity of vitamin A in rats.

Cholestin supplementation significantly reduces the toxic effects of vitamin A in rats, including loss of body weight, hepatotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity.

Non-RCTAnimal Study

2012·

6citations

·Y. Yeh et al.

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