Vitamin A or  carotene reduces mortality related to pregnancy in Nepal

Vitamin A deficiency, manifest as night blindness or low serum retinol concentrations during pregnancy, is common and may adversely affect maternal health and survival in south Asia. On p 570 West et al report the results of a study in rural Nepal in which over 44 000 married women of reproductive age were randomly allocated to receive a recommended dietary allowance of vitamin A (either preformed or as provitamin A  carotene) or a placebo every week for 31/2 years. Over 22 000 pregnancies were followed up to 12 weeks post partum. Supplementation reduced mortality related to pregnancy by 44% overall. The authors conclude that increasing vitamin A or  carotene intakes towards recommended values can reduce maternal mortality.


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Relevant Article

Double blind, cluster randomised trial of low dose supplementation with vitamin A or  carotene on mortality related to pregnancy in Nepal

Keith P West, Jr, Joanne Katz, Subarna K Khatry, Steven C LeClerq, Elizabeth K Pradhan, Sharada R Shrestha, Paul B Connor, Sanu M Dali, Parul Christian, Ram P Pokhrel, and Alfred Sommer
BMJ 1999 318: 570-575. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]