Therefore , vitamin A supplementation alone may reduce the risk of anemia , by improving hemoglobin and ferritin levels in individuals with low serum retinol levels
ABSTRACT Anemia is a worldwide public health problem that can be related to many causes , including vitamin A deficiency .
The aim of this study was to assess and estimate the effect of vitamin A supplementation ( VAS ) on iron status biomarkers and anemia in humans .
Impact of vitamin A supplementation on anaemia and plasma erythropoietin concentrations in pregnant women: a controlled clinical trial.
INTRODUCTION Although studies suggest that vitamin A or its metabolites influence the synthesis of erythropoietin in vitro and in animal models , it is unclear whether vitamin A supplementation increases plasma erythropoietin concentrations in humans . OBJECTIVE To determine whether daily vitamin A supplementation increases plasma erythropoietin concentrations in pregnant women with a high prevalence of anaemia . METHODS A r and omized , double-blind , controlled clinical trial was conducted to examine the effect of daily vitamin A ( 3000 microg retinol equivalent ) , iron ( 30 mg ) , and folate ( 400 microg ) versus iron ( 30 mg ) and folate ( 400 microg ) ( control ) on haemoglobin and plasma erythropoietin concentrations in 203 pregnant women in Malawi , Africa . RESULTS Mean gestational age at enrollment was 23 wk , at which time 50 % of the women were anaemic ( haemoglobin < 110 g/L ) . Mean ( + /-SEM ) change in haemoglobin from enrollment to 38 wk was 4.7+/-1.6 g/L ( p=0.003 ) and 7.3+/-2.3 g/L ( p=0.003 ) in the vitamin A and control groups , respectively . Mean change in plasma erythropoietin concentrations from enrollment to 38 wk was 2.39+/-5.00 ( p=0.63 ) and -2.87+/-3.92 IU/L ( p=0.46 ) in the vitamin A and controls groups , respectively . There were no significant differences between vitamin A and control groups in the slope of the regression line between log10 erythropoietin and haemoglobin at enrollment or 38 wk , and between enrollment and follow-up within either group . CONCLUSIONS Vitamin A supplementation does not appear to increase haemoglobin and plasma erythropoietin concentrations among pregnant women with a high prevalence of anaemia in Malawi
Therefore , vitamin A supplementation alone may reduce the risk of anemia , by improving hemoglobin and ferritin levels in individuals with low serum retinol levels
ABSTRACT Anemia is a worldwide public health problem that can be related to many causes , including vitamin A deficiency .
The aim of this study was to assess and estimate the effect of vitamin A supplementation ( VAS ) on iron status biomarkers and anemia in humans .