Effect of Vitamin A Fortified Milk Intake on Total Body Vitamin A Stores in Mexican Preschoolers

Abstract

In Mexico, vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a public health problem for preschool children. Vitamin A (VA) fortified milk (Liconsa) is distributed nationally to fight VAD, nevertheless its effect has yet not been assessed. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of daily intake of VA fortified milk on the total body VA (TBVA) stores of preschoolers.We conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial in Mexico to assess the effect of daily intake of 250 mL of VA fortified Liconsa milk for 12 weeks on VA status of 24 VA‐deficient preschoolers. Subjects were randomly allocated to treatment (n=11) or control (n=13) groups respectively. TBVA stores were calculated using the Olson equation at baseline and three months after daily intake of VA fortified “Liconsa” milk.TBVA stores of the treatment group had a significant increase compared to their baseline value (P<0.05) and stores had a significant difference of 0.75 mmol in treatment vs control groups (P=0.01). Serum retinol concentration was significantly reduced compared to its baseline value in the control group (P<0.05) and serum retinol was 0.291μmol/L greater in the treatment vs control group (P=0.01).Daily intake of vitamin A fortified “Liconsa” milk during 12 weeks, significantly increased TBVA stores and serum retinol levels of Mexican preschoolers.Study supported by the IAEA. LTV received a fellowship from CONACyT.Grant Funding Source : IAEA‐CONACyT