The Effects of Two Maternal Vitamin A Supplementation Regimens on Serum Retinol in Postpartum Mothers : A Randomised Controlled Trial in Brazil

Abstract EN

Objective.

To test whether the serum retinol level in mothers supplemented with 400,000 IU of vitamin A is higher than in those supplemented with 200,000 IU and to estimate duration of the protective effect of vitamin A supplementation in the serum retinol level.

Methods.

Double-blind, randomised controlled trial performed in two hospitals in the state of Pernambuco in northeast Brazil.

Three hundred twelve mothers were recruited immediately postpartum.

All women received a capsule containing 200,000 IU of vitamin A, and 10 days after delivery, they were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups.

One group received a second capsule containing vitamin A and the other group received a placebo.

Each group was invited back after 2, 4, and 6 months for serum retinol analyses.

Results.

No difference was found between the two groups in serum maternal retinol concentration at 2 months (2.13 versus 2.03 μmol/L), 4 months (2.20 versus 2.24 μmol/L) or 6 months (2.29 versus 2.31 μmol/L).

Because there was no further effect and because this population has a level of vitamin A deficiency considered mild, our results do not support a proposal to increase the dosing schedule for vitamin A in postpartum women as recommended by the IVACG.