title: Serum vitamin A and beta-carotene levels in pregnant women infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if low levels of serum vitamin A and beta-carotene are present in pregnant women with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum concentrations of vitamin A and beta-carotene were measured in 74 pregnant women seropositive for HIV-1 infection (17 with CD4 count below 200 cells/microliter) and in 148 pregnant seronegative controls in the first trimester. Comparisons were made between groups stratified by CD4 count.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with controls, women with HIV-1 infection and CD4 count below 200 cells/microliter exhibited 37% lower mean serum vitamin A levels (0.820 versus 1.308 micromol/L, P < .001) and 37% lower mean serum beta-carotene levels (1.486 versus 2.362 micromol/L, P < .001). Mean maternal age, parity, gestational age, hemoglobin levels, and body mass index at entry into the study did not differ significantly between the control and HIV-1 infection groups. In addition, serum vitamin A levels correlated significantly with the percentage of CD4 lymphocytes (r = 0.589, P < .001), CD4 count (r = 0.772, P < .001), and CD4 to CD8 ratio (r = 0.593, P < .001). Serum beta-carotene levels correlated with the percentage of CD4 lymphocytes (r = 0.407, P < .001), CD4 count (r = 0.614, P < .001), and CD4 to CD8 ratio (r = 0.434, P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with levels in uninfected women, serum vitamin A and beta-carotene are decreased in HIV-1-infected pregnant women in the first trimester with CD4 counts lower than 200 cells/microliter. These micronutrient concentrations also correlate with CD4 count.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Phuapradit
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chaturachinda
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Taneepanichskul
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sirivarasry
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Khupulsup
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lerdvuthisopon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood*; D015497:HIV-1; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000097:blood*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*; D019207:beta Carotene
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D002338:Carotenoids