Maternal-neonatal serum vitamin A concentrations.
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.
Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical School, Houston 77225.
G S
GS
Shirali
D G
DG
Oelberg
K P
KP
Mehta
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control
D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D014801:Vitamin A