title: Vitamin A supplementation during puerperium: systematic review.
abstract: A systematic review on studies evaluating the effect of applying megadoses of vitamin A on the retinol concentrations in maternal milk and blood, as a short-term measure for preventing hypovitaminosis A, was conducted. Based on the strategy of the Brazilian Cochrane Center for randomized trials, 115 published papers were identified in PubMed. From these, through a set of inclusion/exclusion criteria, 14 articles published between 1993 and 2007 were selected. The effects of interventions with three posological regimens (200,000, 300,000 and 400,000 IU) of vitamin A were analyzed. Out of 11 experiments conducted on maternal milk, nine presented elevation of the retinol levels in comparison with the control group; out of nine that evaluated maternal blood, four showed elevation at varying times after applying megadoses of vitamin A. It was concluded that the results from administration of vitamin A at high doses were positive in 82% of the trials on maternal milk, but less notable in relation to maternal blood. No significant differences regarding the posological regimens applied were observed.
authors: Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira, Recife, PE, Brasil. fatimacaminha@imip.org.br
authors: Maria de Fátima Costa
authors: Mde F
authors: Caminha
authors: Malaquias
authors: M
authors: Batista Filho
authors: Taciana Fernanda dos Santos
authors: TF
authors: Fernandes
authors: Ilma Kruze Grande de
authors: IK
authors: Arruda
authors: Alcides da Silva
authors: Ada S
authors: Diniz
mesh_terms: D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A