Acute hypervitaminosis A can occur after 1 or more high doses of vitamin A.
Risk factors:
(1) high dose of vitamin A (100,000 units of retinol or more)
(2) decreased serum retinol-binding protein (protein malnutrition, liver disease)
General findings:
(1) anorexia
(2) drowsiness
(3) irritability
(4) nausea and vomiting
(5) increased intracranial pressure with headache and papilledema, pseudotumor cerebri
(6) extensive skin desquamation, exfoliative dermatitis
Findings seen in infants:
(1) bulging fontanelle
Findings seen in adults:
(1) abdominal pain
(2) blurred vision (due to papilledema)
(3) muscle weakness
(4) peripheral neuritis
Laboratory findings:
(1) elevated serum vitamin A
Concurrent findings:
(1) hypervitaminosis D (if vitamin D present in vitamin preparation)
