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Published on: August 24, 2011
Vitamin A and neonatal anthropometry
P H Rondó1, R Abbott, A M Tomkins
1Nutrition Department, Public Health School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. phcrondo@usp.br
Insights
Low vitamin A levels in newborns are linked to reduced growth indicators. This study found that smaller and shorter babies had lower vitamin A concentrations in cord blood, highlighting its role in infant development.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Health
- Nutritional Science
- Pediatric Growth
Background:
- Vitamin A is crucial for infant growth, development, and immune function.
- Suboptimal vitamin A levels can significantly impact neonatal outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between vitamin A levels in cord blood and neonatal anthropometric measurements.
- To understand the role of vitamin A in fetal growth and development.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed cord blood vitamin A concentrations in 711 newborns using high-performance liquid chromatography.
- Assessed neonatal anthropometry including birth weight, length, and various circumferences.
- Correlated vitamin A levels with anthropometric data and analyzed differences across quartiles.
Main Results:
- Significant positive correlations were observed between cord blood vitamin A and birth weight, length, chest circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness.
- Newborns in lower anthropometric quartiles (smaller/shorter) exhibited significantly lower mean vitamin A concentrations.
- These findings indicate a clear link between vitamin A status and physical growth in neonates.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal anthropometry is positively associated with vitamin A status at birth.
- Lower vitamin A levels in cord blood may contribute to reduced birth size and growth parameters.
- Ensuring adequate vitamin A intake during pregnancy is vital for optimal fetal growth and neonatal health.
Abstract:
Low levels of vitamin A have a major impact on growth, development, and immunity. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between cord concentrations of vitamin A and neonatal anthropometry in 711 babies born at term in Brazil. Gestational age of the babies was evaluated by the Capurro method. Vitamin A was measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Concentrations of vitamin A in cord blood correlated significantly (p < 0.001) with birthweight (r = 0.24), length (r = 0.20), chest circumference (r = 0.24), mid-upper arm circumference (r = 0.23), triceps skinfold thickness (r = 0.26), and head circumference (r = 0.12) of the babies. The anthropometric measurements of the babies were sorted by the vitamin A concentrations (means and standard deviations) and divided into quartiles. Differences between the quartiles were tested by analysis of variance. Babies in the bottom length, head circumference and triceps skinfold thickness quartiles had lower mean vitamin A concentrations than those of quartiles two, three and four. Babies in the bottom birthweight, chest and mid-upper arm circumferences quartiles had lower mean vitamin A concentrations than those of quartiles three and four (p < 0.003). These data shows that smaller/shorter babies had lower concentrations of vitamin A than heavier/longer babies, probably reflecting the important role of this micronutrient on growth.
