Effect of routine prenatal supplementation on vitamin concentrations in maternal serum and breast milk.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of multivitamin supplements and their different vitamin A sources on retinol concentrations in serum and colostrum milk of postpartum women.


METHODS
This was a retrospective cross-sectional study composed of healthy postpartum women attending two Brazilian private maternity wards (N = 100). According to the type of multivitamin taken during pregnancy, the women were assigned to one of four groups: control group (CG; n = 25), formulation 1 (F1; n = 25), formulation 2 (F2; n = 25), and formulation 3 (F3; n = 25). Blood and colostrum samples were collected under fasting conditions and retinol was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Dietary vitamin A was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Retinol concentrations <20 μg/dL (<0.70 μmol/L) in serum and <60 μg/dL (2.10 μmol/L) in colostrum were considered indicative of vitamin A deficiency.


RESULTS
Of women in the control group, 12% (n = 3) presented serum retinol levels below the cut-off value for adequacy; this was not observed in the supplemented groups. Evaluating the retinol content in breast milk, supplemented groups F1 and F3 presented 4% (n = 1) of inadequacy cases, whereas F2 presented 40% (n = 10). The concentrations found in the F2 and F3 groups were statistically different (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of multivitamin supplements containing vitamin A during pregnancy prevents vitamin A deficiency regardless of the source administered. In breast milk, supplementation with β-carotene provided a lower concentration of vitamin A compared with retinol.
Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil. Electronic address: Cristianesanziogurgel@gmail.com.
Cristiane Santos
CS
Sânzio Gurgel
Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
Larisa
L
Alves de Araújo Pereira
Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
Aldiane
A
de Assis Costa
Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
Mayara
M
Adja da Silva Souza
Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
Poliana
P
Araújo de Brito
Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
Larisse Rayanne
LR
Miranda de Melo
Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
Roberto
R
Dimenstein
D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003126:Colostrum / Q000737:chemistry*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014815:Vitamins / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014815:Vitamins; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A
Colostrum; Postpartum women; Retinol; Supplementation; Vitamin A deficiency