Zinc plus beta-carotene supplementation of pregnant women is superior to beta-carotene supplementation alone in improving vitamin A status in both mothers and infants.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Deficiencies of vitamin A, iron, and zinc are prevalent in women and infants in developing countries. Supplementation during pregnancy can benefit mother and infant.

OBJECTIVE:

We examined whether supplementation during pregnancy with iron and folic acid plus beta-carotene or zinc or both improves the micronutrient status of mothers and infants postpartum.

DESIGN:

Pregnant women (n = 170) were supplemented daily only during pregnancy with beta-carotene (4.5 mg), zinc (30 mg), or both or placebo plus iron (30 mg) and folic acid (0.4 mg) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Micronutrient status was assessed 1 and 6 mo postpartum.

RESULTS:

Six months postpartum, plasma retinol concentrations were higher in the women who received zinc during pregnancy than in women who did not. Infants born to mothers supplemented with beta-carotene + zinc had higher plasma retinol concentrations, with the frequency of vitamin A deficiency reduced by >30% compared with the other 3 groups. Breast-milk beta-carotene concentrations were higher in all women supplemented with beta-carotene, but breast-milk retinol concentrations were higher only in women who received beta-carotene + zinc. Zinc concentrations did not differ among groups in mothers and infants.

CONCLUSIONS:

Zinc supplementation during pregnancy improved the vitamin A status of mothers and infants postpartum, which indicates a specific role of zinc in vitamin A metabolism. Addition of both beta-carotene and zinc to iron supplements during pregnancy could be effective in improving the vitamin A status of mothers and infants.

• Authors: Marjoleine A Dijkhuizen, Frank T Wieringa, Clive E West, Muhilal
• Journal: The American journal of clinical nutrition (Am J Clin Nutr) Vol. 80 Issue 5 Pg. 1299-307 (Nov 2004) ISSN: 0002-9165 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15531679 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• beta Carotene
• Vitamin A
• Zinc

Topics

• Adult
• Avitaminosis (drug therapy, prevention & control)
• Birth Weight
• Body Mass Index
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Indonesia
• Infant, Newborn
• Milk, Human (chemistry)
• Nutritional Status
• Pregnancy
• Vitamin A (blood, metabolism, therapeutic use)
• Zinc (therapeutic use)
• beta Carotene (therapeutic use)