Studies on vitamin A nutritional status of mothers and infants in poor communities of India

Abstract

The vitamin A and carotene content in serum of pregnant women, neonates, and nursing mothers and the vitamin A content in breast milk were estimated. Vitamin A and carotene in the serum as well as the vitamin A content of milk were found to be low in the mothers studied. There was a progressive fall in vitamin A with advance of pregnancy. Vitamin A supplementation to the mothers during pregnancy caused a rise in serum vitamin A content of neonates. Protein supplementation to the nursing mothers caused a rise in vitamin A in the serum, but not in milk. The vitamin A and carotene content in serum of pregnant women, neonates, and nursing mothers and the vitamin A content in breast milk were estimated. Vitamin A and carotene in the serum as well as the vitamin A content of milk were found to be low in the mothers studied. There was a progressive fall in vitamin A with advance of pregnancy. Vitamin A supplementation to the mothers during pregnancy caused a rise in serum vitamin A content of neonates. Protein supplementation to the nursing mothers caused a rise in vitamin A in the serum, but not in milk.