title: Vitamin A and iron status are improved by vitamin A and iron supplementation in pregnant Indonesian women.
abstract: In Indonesia, deficiencies of vitamin A and iron are of public health concern during pregnancy. We sought to determine the effects of vitamin A and iron supplementation on the vitamin A and iron status of pregnant Indonesian women. The women (n = 27) were randomly assigned to four groups. The modified relative dose response (MRDR) test for vitamin A status and hemoglobin, hematocrit and ferritin values were determined at baseline. Thereafter, daily supplements were administered: placebo [Pl] (n = 7), 8.4 micromol vitamin A [A] (n = 7), 1.07 mmol iron [Fe] (n = 5), and 8.4 micromol vitamin A plus 1.07 mmol iron [A + Fe] (n = 8). Post-treatment tests were performed after 8 wk. The MRDR value was reduced, i.e., vitamin A status improved, more markedly by the combination of vitamin A and iron than by either nutrient alone (P = 0.034). The decrease in the MRDR relative to baseline was significant in the A + Fe group (P = 0.008). Iron status was also significantly improved in these women (P < 0.05) with both iron and vitamin A supplementation. The mechanism of the enhancing effect of iron on the vitamin A-induced reduction in the MRDR is not known.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 53706-1571, USA. sherry@nutrisci.wisc.edu
authors.forename: Sherry A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Tanumihardjo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004224:Diterpenes; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D000084562:Retinyl Esters; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D004224:Diterpenes; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000084562:Retinyl Esters; D014801:Vitamin A; C014794:retinol palmitate; D007501:Iron