The effect of vitamin A supplementation with 400 000 IU vs 200 000 IU on retinol concentrations in the breast milk: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background & aims: The vitamin A nutritional status is marginal for most of the newborns, and the prevention of that deficiency is promoted by breastfeeding. The Ministry of Health of Brazil established the National Vitamin A Supplementation Program, giving mega-doses of this nutrient to women right after delivery, in order to provide adequate vitamin A content in the breast milk and The International Vitamin A Consultative Group has supported the recommendation, to supplement with 400 000 IU of VA immediately after delivery. This study compares retinol concentrations in breast milk (colostrum, 2 and 4 months) from mothers supplemented during immediate postpartum with 400 000 IU versus 200 000 IU of vitamin A.

Methods: A randomized, controlled, triple-blind trial, conducted in two public maternities in Recife, Northeast Brazil. Two hundred and ten mothers were recruited and allocated into two treatment groups: 400 000 IU or 200 000 IU of Vitamin A and monitored for 4 months.

Results: There was no significant difference between retinol concentrations in breast milk between treatment groups (400 000 IU vs 200 000 IU) in the studied period: 2 months (p = 0.790) and 4 months (p = 0.279), although a progressive reduction of concentrations throughout the study was observed in both treatment groups, 400 000 IU (p < 0.0001) and 200 000 IU (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions: The absence of an additional effect of a higher dosage justifies the 200 000 IU supplementation, according to the World Health Organization. Registered under ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier No. NCT00742937.

Keywords: Human milk; Mega doses; Vitamin A.