Vitamin A in pregnancy and breastfeeding

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sir Peter Gluckman ◽  
Mark Hanson ◽  
Chong Yap Seng ◽  
Anne Bardsley
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Nutritional Risk ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Resistance To Infection ◽  
In Pregnancy

Vitamin A is critical for visual and reproductive function, supports resistance to infection, and is required for the development of multiple organ systems. including the heart, lungs, kidneys, and skeleton. Both excess and deficiency of vitamin A in pregnancy are associated with birth defects. High intakes of vitamin A, either in the form of supplements or in concentrated food sources such as liver, should be avoided in pregnancy, particularly between day 15 and day 60 post conception. However, in areas with endemic vitamin A deficiency, supplementation in late pregnancy is recommended to prevent night blindness. Most women who are at low nutritional risk can meet their early pregnancy vitamin A requirement from food sources, but should increase their vitamin A intake from food during the third trimester and through lactation.

scholarly journals Endocannabinoid System in Pregnancy Maintenance and Labor: A Mini-Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa L. Kozakiewicz ◽  
Chad A. Grotegut ◽  
Allyn C. Howlett
Keyword(s):  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Current Theory ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Signaling System ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Term Labor ◽  
In Pregnancy

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a cell-signaling system present in multiple organ systems and is an integral part of sustaining the microenvironment necessary for early pregnancy success and maintenance. It plays a significant role in embryo development, transport and implantation as well as placentation. The current theory behind the initiation of term labor is that it is a complex, multifactorial process involving sex steroid hormones, prostaglandin production and interplay at the maternal-fetal interface resulting in increased expression of receptors and gap junctions that promote uterine activation. There is increasing evidence that, in addition to early pregnancy events, the ECS plays a regulatory role in pregnancy maintenance and the timing of labor. This review presents an overview of the ECS in pregnancy that focuses on late gestation and parturition.

scholarly journals Lysozyme activity in plasma and leucocytes in malnourished children

1974 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Mohanram ◽  
Vinodini Reddy ◽  
S. Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Enzyme Activity ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Lysozyme Activity ◽  
Normal Children ◽  
Control Value ◽  
Malnourished Children ◽  
Resistance To Infection ◽  
Ocular Signs

1. Lysozyme activity was estimated in plasma and leucocytes of twelve children suffering from kwashiorkor, thirteen children with ocular signs of vitamin A deficiency and ten apparently normal children acting as controls.2. The results showed that the activity of lysozyme in leucocytes was significantly reduced in children with kwashiorkor and in vitamin A-deficient children. Following therapy, the levels of the enzyme in leucocytes were restored to normal.3. The initial enzyme activity in the plasma of both groups of children did not differ significantly from the control value, and was not significantly changed after treatment.4. It is suggested that the decreased activity of lysozyme is one of the factors responsible for diminished resistance to infection generally observed in malnourished children.

scholarly journals Community Assessment of Availability, Consumption, and Cultural Acceptability of Food Sources of (PRO)Vitamin A: Toward the Development of a Dietary Intervention among Preschool Children in Rural Burkina Faso

2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 356-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constance P. Nana ◽  
Inge D. Brouwer ◽  
Noel-Marie Zagré ◽  
Frans J. Kok ◽  
Alfred S. Traoré
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Dietary Intervention ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Green Leafy Vegetables

Background Vitamin A deficiency remains a public health problem in Burkina Faso and elsewhere in the developing world. Dietary diversification is a promising strategy that needs to be explored to strengthen the country's ongoing supplementation program. Objective The purpose of this study was to identify locally available and acceptable (pro)vitamin A–rich foods to be included in a dietary intervention addressing vitamin A deficiency in children aged six months to three years. Methods A food ethnographic study combining recall methods, observation, and focused group discussion was conducted in the dry and rainy seasons. Thirty-five mother–child pairs were randomly selected and included in the study. Results The dietary pattern of children was characterized by low diversity with extremely low energy and vitamin A intake in both seasons. The study identified the availability of numerous (pro)vitamin A–rich foods, but these foods are either not consumed or consumed by few in low amounts and/or in low frequencies. The main constraining factors identified are related to financial accessibility (for liver), seasonal availability (for egg, milk, mango, papaya, and green leafy vegetables), and beliefs related to consumption and preparation (for green leafy vegetables). However, the study also revealed that the study population associated all identified (pro)vitamin A–rich foods with positive attributes such as health, strength, and vitamin richness, which might offer an entry point for designing and implementing dietary interventions. Conclusions Based on the findings of this formative research, intervention strategies with mango and liver are proposed to improve the vitamin A intake and status of children in the rural areas of Burkina Faso.

scholarly journals Retinol deficiency in animals: Etiopathogenesis and consequences

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 162-169
Author(s):  
P. M. Skliarov ◽  
S. Y. Fedorenko ◽  
S. V. Naumenko ◽  
O. V. Onischenko ◽  
K. О. Holda
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
The Body ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Retinol Deficiency ◽  
Endocrine Organs ◽  
And Performance

Infertility is widespread for all species of animals and causes significant economic losses to livestock due to the loss and shortage of offspring, their reduced viability and, consequently, increased morbidity and mortality. Alimentary-deficiency factors are among the commonest causes of infertility, from which A-vitamin deficiency should be singled out. The precursor of vitamin A in the body is carotene, which is an unstable compound which is easily destroyed even under the influence of moderate factors of influence, in connection with which its deficiency is global, especially at the end of the winter – stall period of keeping animals. Accordingly it is the leading etiological factor of retinol deficiency infertility. As a result, the body has two negatives that act in parallel: carotene / vitamin A deficiency adversely affects the organs, the constituent and major functional unit of which is the secretory epithelial cell, and the free radical oxides formed in high concentration are extremely effective in destroying the cells, weakening antioxidant protection. Vitamin A has a significant effect on the reproductive function of animals both directly and indirectly. It is necessary to ensure the structure and functioning of the epithelial tissues of the organs of regulation and performance of sexual function, and therefore the physiological development of the fetus and the course of pregnancy, parturition and postpartum period, ovo- and spermiogenesis, the manifestation of sexual reflexes. Instead, its deficiency underlies the etiology and pathogenesis of retinol deficiency infertility of animals, causing changes in individual indices of homeostasis and prooxidate-antioxidant system, morphostructure of the reproductive and endocrine organs, hormonal status, sperm quality and reproductive function. The consequence is the emergence and development of gynecological, andrological, mammological and perinatal (ante-, intra-, post- and neo-) pathologies. At the same time, the addition of carotene or retinol to the diets of animals or their oral administration in cases of deficiency of vitamin A prevents impaired reproductive function. The study of the features of the etiopathogenesis of retinol deficiency infertility of animals allows programs of complex diagnostics, therapy and prevention to be developed which provide determination of carotene and vitamin A content and replenishment of the organism in cases of their deficiency.

MARGINAL VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY IN PREGNANCY CAN INDUCE MEMORY DEFICIT IN ADULT OFFSPRING

PEDIATRICS ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 121 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. S152.2-S153
Author(s):  
Ting-Yu Li ◽  
Hong-Mei Huang ◽  
Chun-Ting Mao ◽  
Ying Liu ◽  
Ping Qu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Memory Deficit ◽  
Adult Offspring ◽  
In Pregnancy

scholarly journals Vitamin A Deficiency Disorders in Children and Women

2003 ◽  
Vol 24 (4_suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S78-S90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith P. West
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Large Trial ◽  
Vitamin A Supplementation ◽  
Lactating Women ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Resistance To Infection ◽  
Nutrition Problem

Vitamin A deficiency is an endemic nutrition problem throughout much of the developing world, especially affecting the health and survival of infants, young children, and pregnant and lactating women. These age and life-stage groups represent periods when both nutrition stress is high and diet likely to be chronically deficient in vitamin A. Approximately 127 million preschool-aged children and 7 million pregnant women are vitamin A deficient. Health consequences of vitamin A deficiency include mild to severe systemic effects on innate and acquired mechanisms of host resistance to infection and growth, increased burden of infectious morbidity, mild to severe (blinding) stages of xerophthalmia, and increased risk of mortality. These consequences are defined as vitamin A deficiency disorders (VADD). Globally, 4.4 million preschool children have xerophthalmia and 6 million mothers suffer night blindness during pregnancy. Both conditions are associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. While reductions of child mortality of 19–54% following vitamin A treatment have been widely reported, more recent work suggests that dosing newborns with vitamin A may, in some settings, lower infant mortality. Among women, one large trial has so far reported a ≥ 40% reduction in mortality related to pregnancy with weekly, low-dose vitamin A supplementation. Epidemiologic data on vitamin A deficiency disorders can be useful in planning, designing, and targeting interventions.

scholarly journals Knowledge, use and sensory evaluation of red palm oil ogi by caregivers in Makurdi, Nigeria

2004 ◽  
Vol 14 (62) ◽  
pp. 8761-8775
Author(s):  
OA Adewuyi ◽  
◽  
JO Abu ◽  
EU Amuta ◽  
GA Abu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Sensory Evaluation ◽  
Palm Oil ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Red Palm Oil ◽  
Children Under 5

Vitamin A deficiency is one of the major public health challenges in many developing countries affecting mainly children under 5 years of age and contributes to severity of life-threatening infections such as diarrhoea and measles. Over the years, several effective strategies have been adopted to combat vitamin A deficiency with the attendant challenge of sustainability. Food-based approaches based on vitamin A-rich, locally available food sources are considered sustainable and could help in filling this gap. The use of red palm oil among other locally available pro-vitamin A foodstuffs is recommended for incorporation into complementary foods given to children under 5 years of age by health workers in Nigeria. This study was conducted to ascertain the level of awareness, use and sensory evaluation of red palm oil ogi (a cereal-based porridge) by caregivers of under-fives within Makurdi, Nigeria. Data were obtained through a cross-sectional survey and two focus group discussions. The survey involved 100 respondents that were purposively sampled from three well patronized health facilities rendering post-natal services in Makurdi. The results of the survey were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The focus group discussions involved 17 members in two separate groups and responses were sorted and summarized. The results show that though caregivers consider red palm oil as a taboo-free cooking ingredient, knowledge on its use in ogi was low (11%). However, some caregivers were willing to adopt red palm oil ogi provided the method of preparation is demonstrated and presents no adverse effects on the child. Ogi prepared with 5 and 10% red palm oil (w/v) scored 6.8 and 6.6 for maize, 5.9 and 6.0 for millet, respectively for overall acceptability on a 9-point Hedonic scale while ogi without red palm oil was the most acceptable. This study has identified low awareness in the use of red palm oil ogi among caregivers of under-fives in Makurdi; ignorance about red palm oil’s nutritional benefits and appropriate preparation methods as well as actual concentration of red palm oil to be employed as some of the critical gaps in the use of red palm oil ogi in alleviating the burden of vitamin A deficiency among children under 5 years of age in Makurdi, Nigeria.

Vitamin A deficiency presenting as night blindness during pregnancy

2003 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 292-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Callum Livingstone ◽  
Joy Davis ◽  
Vanessa Marvin ◽  
Karen Morton
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Night Blindness ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Pancreatic Disease ◽  
Healthy Baby ◽  
Subtotal Pancreatectomy ◽  
Vitamin A Status ◽  
History Of ◽  
In Pregnancy

We describe a patient with a 6-year history of pancreatic malabsorption following surgical subtotal pancreatectomy. She presented at 33 weeks of pregnancy with night blindness as a result of vitamin A deficiency. She had had two successful pregnancies 9 and 8 years previously, giving birth to a healthy baby boy on each occasion. We suggest that patients with long-term malabsorption due to intestinal or pancreatic disease should have vitamin A status checked prior to and during pregnancy so that prompt supplementation can be commenced if necessary. The possibility that vitamin A deficiency may be contributing to anaemia present in pregnancy should also be considered.

Carotenoid-Rich Bananas: A Potential Food Source for Alleviating Vitamin A Deficiency

2003 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 303-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lois Englberger ◽  
Ian Darnton-Hill ◽  
Terry Coyne ◽  
Maureen H. Fitzgerald ◽  
Geoffrey C. Marks
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Food Source ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Carotenoid Content ◽  
Potential Food Source ◽  
Vitamin A Status ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Potential Food

This review article points out that bananas are an important food for many people in the world. Thus, banana cultivars rich in provitamin A carotenoids may offer a potential food source for alleviating vitamin A deficiency, particularly in developing countries. Many factors are associated with the presently known food sources of vitamin A that limit their effectiveness in improving vitamin A status. Acceptable carotenoid-rich banana cultivars have been identified in Micronesia, and some carotenoid-rich bananas have been identified elsewhere. Bananas are an ideal food for young children and families for many regions of the world, because of their sweetness, texture, portion size, familiarity, availability, convenience, versatility, and cost. Foods containing high levels of carotenoids have been shown to protect against chronic disease, including certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Because the coloration of the edible flesh of the banana appears to be a good indicator of likely carotenoid content, it may be possible to develop a simple method for selecting carotenoid-rich banana cultivars in the community. Research is needed on the identification of carotenoid-rich cultivars, targeting those areas of the world where bananas are a major staple food; investigating factors affecting production, consumption, and acceptability; and determining the impact that carotenoid-rich bananas may have on improving vitamin A status. Based on these results, interventions should be undertaken for initiating or increasing homestead and commercial production.

scholarly journals Retinoic Acid and Its Derivatives in Skin

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 2660
Author(s):  
Łukasz Szymański ◽  
Rafał Skopek ◽  
Małgorzata Palusińska ◽  
Tino Schenk ◽  
Sven Stengel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Retinoic Acid Receptors ◽  
All Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Cell Growth And Differentiation ◽  
Dermatological Disorders ◽  
Dermal Cells

The retinoids are a group of compounds including vitamin A and its active metabolite all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). Retinoids regulate a variety of physiological functions in multiple organ systems, are essential for normal immune competence, and are involved in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation. Vitamin A derivatives have held promise in cancer treatment and ATRA is used in differentiation therapy of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). ATRA and other retinoids have also been successfully applied in a variety of dermatological conditions such as skin cancer, psoriasis, acne, and ichthyosis. Moreover, modulation of retinoic acid receptors and retinoid X (or rexinoid) receptors function may affect dermal cells. The studies using complex genetic models with various combinations of retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X (or rexinoid) receptors (RXRs) indicate that retinoic acid and its derivatives have therapeutic potential for a variety of serious dermatological disorders including some malignant conditions. Here, we provide a synopsis of the main advances in understanding the role of ATRA and its receptors in dermatology.

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