title: A randomized trial evaluating the effect of 2 regimens of maternal vitamin a supplementation on breast milk retinol levels.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of 2 different megadoses of retinyl palmitate on the level of retinol in the breast milk of healthy women. In total, 199 women were randomly allocated to 3 groups and supplemented in the postpartum period with a single retinyl palmitate dose of 200 000 IU (S1), a double dose of 200 000 IU 24 hours apart (S2), or no supplementation (C). Retinol content of colostrum and mature milk at 4 weeks was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). For colostrum, no significant difference was found between the groups (P = .965). The retinol content in mature milk differed between group C and groups S1 and S2 (P < .05). The double dose of vitamin A did not significantly increase the retinol content of milk at 4 weeks postpartum in comparison to a single dose; however, future research is needed to determine the optimal timing of the second dose of vitamin A.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Ciências Cultura e Extensão do Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Danielle Soares
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Bezerra
authors.forename: Katherine Feitosa
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: de Araújo
authors.forename: Gabrielle Mahara Martins
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Azevêdo
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dimenstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003126:Colostrum / Q000737:chemistry*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004224:Diterpenes; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D000084562:Retinyl Esters; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004224:Diterpenes; D000084562:Retinyl Esters; D014801:Vitamin A; C014794:retinol palmitate