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Cases of vitamin A toxicity reported as measles misinformation spreads

March 31, 2025

Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock is treating several children with severe measles who are also suffering from vitamin A toxicity. According to Texas Public Radio, the issue arose after HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promoted the use of vitamin A for measles treatment. His recommendations, shared via Fox News, have led to increased demand for cod liver oil in West Texas. However, the hospital warns against excessive vitamin A intake, as it can cause significant adverse effects, including liver dysfunction. There's no evidence supporting vitamin A as a preventive measure for measles, and the World Health Organization's use of vitamin A in Africa is context-specific to malnourished populations, unlike the situation in West Texas.

Dr. Peter Hotez, co-director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, warns that the overuse of vitamin A can lead to serious health issues, including liver damage, and emphasizes that there's no evidence supporting its effectiveness in preventing measles. He compared the current misinformation around vitamin A with the previous misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic regarding ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, which led to numerous poison control reports and significant unnecessary spending. The only reliable prevention method for measles remains the MMR vaccine, which is 97% effective after two doses.

Sources:

Davies, DM. (2025, March 27). Texas Public Radio. West Texas children treated for vitamin A toxicity as medical disinformation spreads alongside measles outbreak. https://www.tpr.org/public-health/2025-03-27/west-texas-children-treated-for-vitamin-a-toxicity-as-medical-disinformation-spreads-alongside-measles-outbreak

Mukherjee, N. (2025, March 26). CNN. Some measles patients in West Texas show signs of vitamin A toxicity, doctors say, raising concerns about misinformation. https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/26/health/texas-measles-vitamin-a-toxicity/index.html