Eur J Nutr. 2007; 46(1):12-20
Vitamin A and beta-carotene supply of women with gemini or short birth intervals : A pilot study.
Schulz C, Engel U, Kreienberg R, Biesalski HK.
BioTeSys GmbH, Schelztorstr. 54-56, 73728, Esslingen, Germany
An adequate supply of vitamin A during pregnancy and breastfeeding plays an important
role for development of foetus and neonate, especially in lung development and function.
Aim of this pilot study was to analyze vitamin A and beta-carotene status and to investigate
the contribution of nutrition to the vitamin A and beta-carotene supply in mother-infant pairs
of gemini or births within short birth intervals. Twenty-nine volunteers aged between 21 and 36
years were evaluated for 48 h after delivery. During this time frame a food frequency protocol
considering 3 months retrospective was obtained from all participants. In order to establish
overall supply retinol and beta-carotene levels were determined in maternal plasma, cord blood
and colostrum via HPLC analysis. Regardless of the high to moderate socio-economic background,
27.6% of participants showed plasma retinol levels below 1.4 mumol/l which can be taken as
borderline deficiency. In addition, 46.4% showed retinol intake <66% of RDA and 50.0% did not
consume liver at all although liver contributes as a main source for preformed retinol.
Despite high total carotenoid intake of 6.9 +/- 3.6 mg/d, 20.7% of mothers showed plasma levels
<0.5 mumol/l beta-carotene. Retinol and beta-carotene levels were highly significantly
correlated between maternal plasma versus cord blood and colostrum. In addition, significantly
lower levels were found in cord blood (31.2 +/- 13.0% (retinol), 4.1 +/- 1.4% (beta-carotene)
compared with maternal plasma. Despite the fact that vitamin A and beta-carotene rich food is
generally available, risk groups for low vitamin A supply exist in the western world.