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Retinol and Betacarotene Status in Mother-Infant Dyads and Associations between Them
Larissa Q Lira1, Aline F de Souza2, Amanda de M Amâncio2
1Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
Background/Aims:
Assessing the diet and biochemical indicators of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in high-risk populations is crucial in cases where this deficiency is mainly caused by chronically inadequate intake. This study aimed to determine the retinol and betacarotene status in mother-infant dyads, and to evaluate the associations between them.
Methods:
Umbilical cord serum, maternal serum, and colostrum were collected from 134 healthy mothers living in a risk region for VAD. Vitamin A and betacarotene were quantified by liquid chromatography, and dietary information was collected using a food frequency questionnaire.
Results:
Although the overall mean intakes of vitamin A and betacarotene were considered adequate, 16% of the women had insufficient intake. Mean retinol levels were also adequate, yet low levels were diagnosed in about 8% of the mothers, based on maternal serum and colostrum, and in 16% of the cord serum samples. Retinol and betacarotene were positively associated in cord serum (p = 0.004), maternal serum (p = 0.041), and colostrum (p < 0.001) but was not associated with dietary intake.
Conclusions:
A diagnosis of adequacy based on mean biochemical and dietary data of this population in fact masks the marginal vitamin A status presented by mothers and children.
