Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-1989

Abstract

Prevention of neonatal vitamin A deficiency is related to the adequacy of maternal vitamin A stores. In this study we investigated maternal and cord serum vitamin A and retinol-binding protein (RBP) values in an Indian population including, for the first time, clinically vitamin A-deficient mothers. Twenty-eight maternal-neonatal pairs were selected from maternal cohorts of high socioeconomic status without clinical evidence of vitamin A deficiency (group I) and low socioeconomic status with conjunctival xerosis and Bitot's spots (group II). Maternal education, caloric and vitamin A intakes, weight, height, hemoglobin, and birth weight were significantly lower in group II. Serum vitamin A levels were significantly higher in group I mothers and newborns as were RBP levels in group I mothers. However, a significant difference between groups I and II in cord blood RBP was not observed. Upon correlation of maternal vitamin A levels with cord blood vitamin A levels, a logarithmic relationship was revealed, suggesting saturable transplacental transport of vitamin A.

Journal Title

Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition

Volume

9

Issue

1

First Page

62

Last Page

66

MeSH Keywords

Adult; Female; Fetal Blood; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Maternal-Fetal Exchange; Pregnancy; Retinol-Binding Proteins; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

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