Micronutrients and adverse pregnancy outcomes in the context of HIV infection.
HIV infection is a global public health problem, particularly in Africa. Concurrently, micronutrient deficiencies and adverse pregnancy outcomes are prevalent in the same settings. Supplements containing B complex and vitamins C and E were efficacious in reducing adverse pregnancy outcomes, including fetal loss, low birth weight, and prematurity among HIV-infected women; the generalizability of this finding to uninfected women is being examined. There is little encouragement from published studies to provide prenatal vitamin A supplements in HIV infection, particularly in light of significantly higher risk of mother-to-child transmission observed in one trial. The efficacy and safety of prenatal zinc and selenium supplements on these outcomes need to be examined in randomized trials.
Fawzi
Wafaie
W
Departments of Nutrition and Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Msamanga
Gernard
G
D000328:Adult; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000635:transmission; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000172:deficiency*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage
D018977:Micronutrients; D014815:Vitamins; D012643:Selenium; D015032:Zinc