Vitamin A deficiency in poor, urban, lactating women in Bangladesh: factors influencing vitamin A status

2003 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 447-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faruk Ahmed ◽  
Asfia Azim ◽  
Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Informal Education ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Lower Serum ◽  
Lactating Women ◽  
Vitamin A Status

AbstractAims:To investigate the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency among lactating women in a poor urban population of Bangladesh, and to examine the relationship between various factors and vitamin A status.Design:Cross-sectional study.Setting:Maternal and child health clinic in Dhaka City, Bangladesh.Subjects and methods:A total of 120 lactating women aged 17–37 years were randomly selected from women who attended a local maternal and child health clinic in Dhaka City for immunisation of their children. Various socio-economic, personal characteristics, dietary intakes of vitamin A and anthropometric data were collected. Serum retinol (vitamin A) concentration was determined as a measure of vitamin A status.Results:Of the subjects, 37% had low serum vitamin A levels (<30 μg dl−1), with 13.3% having sub-clinical vitamin A deficiency (<20 μg dl−1). Eighty-seven per cent had vitamin A intakes below the recommended dietary allowance. The lactating women who were either illiterate or received only informal education had significantly (P = 0.002) lower serum vitamin A levels compared with those who received formal education. The women whose husbands received formal education had significantly (P = 0.05) higher serum vitamin A levels than those whose husbands were either illiterate or received only informal education. The serum vitamin A levels of women in households with poor sanitation/latrine practice were significantly (P = 0.03) lower than those of women in households with good sanitation/latrine practice. The women with one child had significantly (P = 0.015) lower serum vitamin A levels than those with two or more children. Women with a lactation period of 6 months or more had significantly (P = 0.034) lower serum vitamin A levels than women with a lactation period of less than 6 months. The women who consumed less than the median vitamin A intake (274.8 μg day−1) had significantly (P = 0.01) lower serum vitamin A levels than those who consumed more than the median vitamin A intake. By multiple regression analysis, education level of the women, number of living children, duration of lactation and dietary intake of vitamin A were found to have significant independent relationships with serum vitamin A. The overall F-ratio (6.8) was highly significant (P = 0.000), the adjusted R2 was 0.16 (multiple R = 0.44).Conclusion:A significant proportion of poor, urban, lactating women in Bangladesh have vitamin A deficiency. Among the various factors, education level of the women, number of living children, duration of lactation and dietary intake of vitamin A appear to be important in influencing the vitamin A status of these women.

scholarly journals Maternal vitamin A status in intrauterine growth retarded babies

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 30-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alakh Ram Verma ◽  
Prafulla Kumar Khodiar ◽  
Debapriya Rath ◽  
Seema Dhurandhar ◽  
Pradeep Kumar Patra
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Maternal Serum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Intrauterine Growth ◽  
Vitamin A Status ◽  
Low Serum

Background: Beside calorie and protein consumption micronutrients like folic acid, vitamin D and vitamin A have been postulated to play major role in intrauterine growth of neonates. Vitamin A compounds are critical for vision, reproduction, embryonic development, immune function and regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation.Aims and Objectives: To determine the relationship of maternal serum vitamin A levels with birth weight of babies.Material and Methods: Study group consisted of 58 randomly selected mothers who delivered at term small for gestational age babies (birth weight less than 2.5kg.). The control group comprises of 52 matched mothers, who delivered normal babies. Biochemical estimation of serum vitamin A was done by HPLC method using sigma reagent of all subjects.Results: Significantly high (p<0.05) number of mothers in study group had low serum vitamin A level compared to mothers in control group. There was a linear relationship between vitamin A status and mean birth weight of the babies.Conclusion: Although the low serum vitamin A level of mothers was significantly associated with intrauterine growth retardation, the exact effect of a vitamin A deficiency on the birth weight of babies remain unclear, but the finding suggests the importance of adequate vitamin A supplementation to pregnant mothers in India.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.8(3) 2017 30-34

Drought feeding of cattle. I. Comparison of hay-grain and all-grain rations: with observations on vitamin A status

1960 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 439 ◽  
Author(s):  
WH Southcott ◽  
GL McClymont
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Wheat Grain ◽  
Whole Wheat ◽  
Vitamin A Status

Yearling Hereford steers in store condition (average weight 585 lb) were fed whole wheat grain, or equal parts whole wheat grain and cereal hay, each diet supplying an estimated 2 lb of starch equivalent per head per day. After the different rations had been fed for 20 weeks, followed by hay-grain rations for 1 week to equalize gastro-intestinal fill, the cattle fed an all-grain ration had lost an average of 1.03 lb per day and those fed a hay-grain ration had lost 0.84 lb per day. The final difference in weight was not significant. All cattle remained in good health. Serum vitamin A levels declined during the experiment to subnormal levels, particularly in the all-grain group, but clinical signs of vitamin A deficiency ware not evident. Coprophagia, hair chewing, and biting of woodwork were observed, particularly in the all-grain group. It is concluded that all-grain rations may be satisfactorily used for drought feeding of cattle.

The Effect of Vitamin A Deficiency in Rabbits on the Elastic Properties of the Lung and Thoracic Aorta

1971 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Saksena ◽  
J. A. Mehta ◽  
A. Naimark
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Elastic Properties ◽  
Thoracic Aorta ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Tissue Elasticity ◽  
Lower Serum ◽  
Deficient Diet ◽  
Retarded Growth ◽  
Per Se

Weanling rabbits were fed a vitamin A deficient diet for 6 weeks. During this period they failed to gain weight normally and exhibited significantly lower serum vitamin A levels when compared with their littermates fed a vitamin A supplemented diet. These findings indicated that vitamin A deficiency was established, and the lungs and specimens of aorta were removed for study. The pressure–volume relationships of saline-filled lungs revealed that test lungs were more compliant than control lungs and this difference was associated with a decrease in elastin content in test lungs. The absence of such changes in pair-fed controls suggests that the effects are due to vitamin A deficiency per se rather than the general effects of retarded growth. A decrease was also noted in the elastance of the aorta, confirming that vitamin A deficiency has an effect on elasticity of tissues generally. When vitamin A deficient animals were given vitamin A supplemented diets the elastance of the aorta returned to control values but the compliance of the lung, although somewhat decreased, did not reach control values. The mechanism by which vitamin A deficiency affects tissue elasticity is not known.

Drought feeding of cattle. II. Comparison of daily and weekly feeding of all-grain rations: with observations on vitamin A status

1960 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 445 ◽  
Author(s):  
WH Southcott ◽  
GL McClymont
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Night Blindness ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Red Cell ◽  
Whole Wheat ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Vitamin A Status ◽  
Digestive Disturbance ◽  
The Difference

Hereford steers and heifers in poor store condition, and from 16 to 22 months old, were fed daily or weekly on whole wheat at the rate of 3.5 lb (estimated to supply 2.5 lb of starch equivalent) per day with the addition of 1 per cent. finely ground limestone. In one experiment of 16 weeks' duration, weights were maintained at about the same level (450 lb) in both groups. However, when the experiment terminated the cattle from the weekly fed group were livelier, had shed their winter coats to a greater extent, and showed more advanced eruption of the incisor teeth. In addition the values for haematocrit, haemoglobin, and red cell counts were significantly higher. In a second experiment over a period of 19 weeks, the average weights fell from 469 lb to 438 lb in the daily fed group and to 403 lb in the weekly fed group. The difference in liveweight was not significant. No improvement was observed in the activity or appearance of the cattle on weekly feeding on this occasion, although haematological examinations showed a trend in favour of this group. Additional experiments confirmed the practicability of weekly feeding for cattle and the relative ease with which the system could be introduced. However, weekly feeding incurred a greater risk of digestive disturbance and losses were heavier than with daily feeding. Cattle on carotene-deficient drought rations for 38 weeks showed no patent night blindness or other evidence of vitamin A deficiency, although individual serum vitamin A values fell as low as 2 µg per 100 ml.

scholarly journals Clinical vitamin-A deficiency and associated factors among pregnant and lactating women in Northwest Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abebaw Baytekus ◽  
Amare Tariku ◽  
Ayal Debie
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Northwest Ethiopia ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lactating Women ◽  
First Marriage ◽  
The Media

Abstract Background Vitamin A deficiency is known for its adverse health consequences, such as blindness, growth retardation and death. To curb the problem, Ethiopia has implemented various public health measures although little has been done to examine the deficiency among pregnant and lactating women. As a result, this study assessed the prevalence of Vitamin A deficiency and associated factors among pregnant and lactating women in Lay Armachiho district, northwest Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on pregnant and lactating women in Lay Arimachiho district, northwest Ethiopia, using the multistage systematic sampling technique to select participants. The binary logistic regression model was fitted to test the effect of exposure variables, and the Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) and p-value < 0.05 were computed to identify the significance and the strength of the associations of variables with Vitamin A deficiency. Results The study revealed that 13.7% of the pregnant and lactating women had night blindness and 0.4% had also Bitot’s Spot. Over 35 years of age of mothers (AOR = 2.74; 95%CI: 1.15,7.43), less than USD 22.7 household monthly income (AOR = 8.9; 95%CI: 4.54,21.73), and poor hand washing practices after toilets (AOR = 8.87; 95% CI: 4.43,18.68) were positively associated with VAD, while mothers’ access to the media (AOR = 0.20; 95%CI:0.07, 0.59), formal education (AOR = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.41), over 18 years of age at first marriage (AOR = 0.19; 95%CI: 0.08,0.36), and no fasting (AOR = 0.14; 95%CI: 0.04,0.46) were negatively associated. Conclusions Maternal Vitamin A deficiency was the major public health problem in Lay Armachiho district. Over 35 years of age of mothers, less than USD 22.7 household monthly income and poor hand washing practices after toilets were high risks for VAD, while mothers’ access to the media, formal education, over 18 years at first marriage, and no fasting were low risks. Therefore, community awareness about the risk of early marriage, poor hand hygiene practices after toilets, and fasting during pregnancy and lactating period were essential. Organizations working on maternal health need to focus on mothers with low incomes in order to reduce their deficiency in Vitamin A.

Research Recommendations for Applying Vitamin A-Labelled Isotope Dilution Techniques to Improve Human Vitamin A Nutrition

2014 ◽  
Vol 84 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 52-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherry A. Tanumihardjo ◽  
Anura V. Kurpad ◽  
Janet R. Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
The Body ◽  
Pool Size ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Vitamin A Status ◽  
Status Assessment ◽  
Total Body

The current use of serum retinol concentrations as a measurement of subclinical vitamin A deficiency is unsatisfactory for many reasons. The best technique available for vitamin A status assessment in humans is the measurement of total body pool size. Pool size is measured by the administration of retinol labelled with stable isotopes of carbon or hydrogen that are safe for human subjects, with subsequent measurement of the dilution of the labelled retinol within the body pool. However, the isotope techniques are time-consuming, technically challenging, and relatively expensive. There is also a need to assess different types of tracers and doses, and to establish clear guidelines for the use and interpretation of this method in different populations. Field-friendly improvements are desirable to encourage the application of this technique in developing countries where the need is greatest for monitoring the risk of vitamin A deficiency, the effectiveness of public health interventions, and the potential of hypervitaminosis due to combined supplement and fortification programs. These techniques should be applied to validate other less technical methods of assessing vitamin A deficiency. Another area of public health relevance for this technique is to understand the bioconversion of β-carotene to vitamin A, and its relation to existing vitamin A status, for future dietary diversification programs.

Genotype Effects on β-Carotene Conversion to Vitamin A: Implications on Reducing Vitamin A Deficiency in the Philippines

2021 ◽  
pp. 037957212110602
Author(s):  
Mark Pretzel P. Zumaraga ◽  
Jose Maria Reynaldo Apollo Arquiza ◽  
Mae Anne Concepcion ◽  
Leah Perlas ◽  
Ma. Neda Alcudia-Catalma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Fisher Exact Test ◽  
National Capital Region ◽  
Nutrition Survey ◽  
Vitamin A Status ◽  
Genotype Frequencies

Background: The study aimed to identify two beta-carotene 15,15′-monooxygenase (BCMO1) mutations, namely R267S and A379V, and determine their association with vitamin A status among Filipinos 6 to 19 years old respondents of the 2013 Philippine National Nutrition Survey living in the National Capital Region. Materials and Methods: This study followed cross-sectional design. Whole blood specimen was collected in the morning and was used as source of genomic DNA and serum for retinol concentration determination. Fisher exact test was performed to determine whether genotype frequencies were associated to retinol concentrations/vitamin A deficiency status. A level of P < .05 was identified as significant. Results: A total of 693 Filipino children and adolescents were included. Of the 693, there were at least 7.6% who bears the combined mutations for R267S + A379V. Association analysis showed that an inverse relationship exists between the A379V TT variant and vitamin A status. Although the exact role of these identified polymorphisms on retinol/carotenoid metabolism need to be confirmed in dedicated functional studies. Conclusion: This study has identified for the first time the presence of 2 nonsynonymous genetic variants/mutations in the coding region of BCMO1 gene. Interestingly, one of these two variants, the A379V T, was found to be associated with vitamin A status. It is, therefore, warranted to investigate the role of BCMO1 variants for the success of supplementation programs and fortification efforts among vulnerable populations in this region. Genetic variability should be considered for future provitamin A supplementation recommendations among children and adolescents in the Philippines.

scholarly journals Vitamin A Supplementation and Child Morbidity and Mortality in Developing Countries

1994 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
George H. Beaton ◽  
Reynaldo Martorell ◽  
Kristan A. Aronson ◽  
Barry Edmonston ◽  
George McCabe. A. Catharine Ross ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Vitamin A Status ◽  
Child Morbidity ◽  
Age Profile ◽  
Mortality Trials ◽  
Low Prevalence

A meta-analysis of eight mortality trials indicates that improving the vitamin A status of children aged six months to five years reduced mortality rates by about 23% in populations with at least low prevalence of clinical signs of vitamin A deficiency. The observed effect of supplementation, described in terms of relative risk (RR), was RR =0.77 (95% confidence interval 0.68–0.88; p < .001) and did not differ by sex or age. However, the number of lives saved was greater at younger ages because of higher mortality. A significant RR was shown for deaths attributed to diarrhoea and measles, but not for respiratory infection. Variability among the trials in effects was apparent, but attempts to explain it by descriptors of the population (baseline anthropometric status, prevalence of xerophthalmia, age profile, baseline mortality) were unsuccessful. Owing to the lack of data, firm conclusions could not be reached about effectiveness in children of less than six months and in settings where biochemical but not clinical evidence of vitamin A deficiency exists. Information about morbidity outcomes from about two dozen studies was reviewed. No consistent effects on frequency or prevalence of diarrhoeal and respiratory infections were found. Improvement in vitamin A status did appear to reduce severe morbidity, particularly in children with measles.

scholarly journals Vitamin A Concentration in Cord and Maternal Serum and its Relation to Birth Weight

1970 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-12
Author(s):  
Dipi Barua ◽  
TA Chowdhury ◽  
Ashim Ranjan Barua
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Maternal Serum ◽  
Poor Survival ◽  
And Child Health ◽  
Training Institute

Low birth weight (LBW) is a common problem in Bangladesh associated with poor survival, growth and development. Among many factors, Vitamin A deficiency is thought to be associated with LBW. To investigate this relation a study was conducted at Maternity and Child Health Training Institute at Azimpur, Dhaka during January 2000 - July 2002. One hundred pregnant women (38-40 wks of gestation) with their newborns were included. Weights of the newborns were recorded within 20 - 30 minutes of delivery. Vitamin A level was estimated in maternal and cord serum. The newborns having weight <2500gm showed Vitamin A level of 49.40 ± 3.04μg/dl in their maternal serum while those weighing ≥2500gm had a Vitamin A level of 60.18 ± 2.03μg/dl in their maternal serum. A trend of increased maternal serum Vitamin A level was observed with increasing birth weight. Thus neonates with higher birth weights were found to be associated with higher values of maternal serum Vitamin A, though not being statistically significant. Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2009; 3(1): 9-12 Key words: LBW, Vitamin A, cord blood, neonates     doi: 10.3329/imcj.v3i1.2911

scholarly journals Cassava with enhanced β-carotene maintains adequate vitamin A status in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) despite substantial cis-isomer content

2009 ◽  
Vol 102 (3) ◽  
pp. 342-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie A. Howe ◽  
Bussie Maziya-Dixon ◽  
Sherry A. Tanumihardjo
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Meriones Unguiculatus ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Carotenoid Content ◽  
Mongolian Gerbils ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Vitamin A Status ◽  
Isomer Content ◽  
Β Carotene

Efforts to increase β-carotene in cassava have been successful, but the ability of high-β-carotene cassava to prevent vitamin A deficiency has not been determined. Two studies investigated the bioefficacy of provitamin A in cassava and compared the effects of carotenoid content and variety on vitamin A status in vitamin A-depleted Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Gerbils were fed a vitamin A-free diet 4 weeks prior to treatment. In Expt 1, treatments (ten gerbils per group) included 45 % high-β-carotene cassava, β-carotene and vitamin A supplements (intake matched to high-β-carotene cassava group), and oil control. In Expt 2, gerbils were fed cassava feeds with 1·8 or 4·3 nmol provitamin A/g prepared with two varieties. Gerbils were killed after 4 weeks. For Expt 1, liver vitamin A was higher (P < 0·05) in the vitamin A (1·45 (sd 0·23) μmol/liver), lower in the control (0·43 (sd 0·10) μmol/liver), but did not differ from the β-carotene group (0·77 (sd 0·12) μmol/liver) when compared with the high-β-carotene cassava group (0·69 (sd 0·20) μmol/liver). The bioconversion factor was 3·7 μg β-carotene to 1 μg retinol (2 mol:1 mol), despite 48 % cis-β-carotene [(Z)-β-carotene] composition in cassava. In Expt 2, cassava feed with 4·3 nmol provitamin A/g maintained vitamin A status. No effect of cassava variety was observed. Serum retinol concentrations did not differ. β-Carotene was detected in livers of gerbils receiving cassava and supplements, but the cis-to-trans ratio in liver differed from intake. Biofortified cassava adequately maintained vitamin A status and was as efficacious as β-carotene supplementation in the gerbil model.

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