Maternal supplementation with retinyl palmitate during immediate postpartum period: potential consumption by infants

Nutritional Status of Breastfeeding Mothers and Impact of Diet and Dietary Supplementation: A Narrative Review

Adequate nutrition during breastfeeding is crucial for ensuring the good health of mothers and babies. Despite the high energy and nutrient demands of breastfeeding, lactating women are often vulnerable from a nutritional perspective. The nutritional focus during breastfeeding tends to be on the newborn, often neglecting the mother's diet. Therefore, in the present narrative review, nutrient intakes were compared with the dietary reference values (DRVs) proposed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as well as by the World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization (WHO/FAO). In the diets of lactating mothers, dietary inadequacies were observed in the intake of some vitamins, such as folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin A, and vitamin D, and in the intake of certain minerals like calcium, iron, and iodine; polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies, primarily in eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, were also observed. On the other hand, the debate on the necessity of supplementation during lactation continues; the need for nutritional supplementation during lactation depends on many factors, such us mothers' eating habits. There seems to be a positive association between nutritional supplementation of the lactating mother and the concentration of certain nutrients in human milk. The present narrative review provides an update on the nutritional status (fatty acids and micronutrients) of breastfeeding mothers and the impact of diet and dietary supplementation on human milk composition.

Nutritional supplements and mother's milk composition: a systematic review of interventional studies

BACKGROUND

This study aims to systematically review the effects of maternal vitamin and/or mineral supplementation on the content of breast milk.

METHODS

We systematically searched electronic databases including Medline via PubMed, Scopus and ISI Web of Science till May 24, 2018. The following terms were used systematically in all mentioned databases: ("human milk" OR "breast milk" OR "breast milk composition" OR "human breast milk composition" OR "composition breast milk" OR "mother milk" OR "human breast milk" OR "maternal milk") AND ("vitamin a" OR "retinol" OR "retinal" OR "retinoic acid" OR "beta-carotene" OR "beta carotene" OR "ascorbic acid" OR "l-ascorbic acid" OR "l ascorbic acid" OR "vitamin c" OR "vitamin d" OR "cholecalciferol" OR "ergocalciferol" OR "calciferol" OR "vitamin e" OR "tocopherol" OR "tocotrienol" OR "alpha-tocopherol" OR "alpha tocopherol" OR "α-tocopherol" OR "α tocopherol" OR "vitamin k" OR "vitamin b" OR "vitamin b complex" OR "zinc" OR "iron" OR "copper" Or "selenium" OR "manganese" OR "magnesium") and we searched Medline via Medical subject Headings (MeSH) terms. We searched Google Scholar for to increase the sensitivity of our search. The search was conducted on human studies, but it was not limited to the title and abstract. Methodological quality and risk of bias of included studies were evaluated by Jadad scale and Cochrane risk of bias tools, respectively.

RESULTS

This review included papers on three minerals (zinc, iron, selenium) and 6 vitamins (vitamin A, B, D, C, E and K) in addition to multi-vitamin supplements. Although studies had different designs, e.g. not using random allocation and/or blinding, our findings suggest that maternal use of some dietary supplements, including vitamin A, D, vitamin B1, B2 and vitamin C might be reflected in human milk. Vitamin supplements had agreater effect on breast milk composition compared to minerals. Higher doses of supplements showed higher effects and they were reflected more in colostrum than in the mature milk.

CONCLUSION

Maternal dietary vitamin and/or mineral supplementation, particularly fat- soluble vitamins, vitamin B1, B2 and C might be reflected in the breast milk composition. No difference was found between mega dose and single dose administration of minerals.

Efect of vitamin A suplementation: a systematic review

To evaluate the effect of vitamin A supplementation in postpartum infants and women on serum retinol levels and breast milk. The databases Medline, PubMed, Lilacs and SciELO were consulted. The descriptors used were vitamin A, dietary supplement, child, postpartum period, infant and nutrition programs policies. Search found 7432 articles. After elimination of duplicity and application of eligibility criteria, 8 studies remained. All evaluated the effect of vitamin A supplementation on immediate postpartum, five studies used retinyl palmitate supplementation, one with retinyl palmitate and two did not specify the form of supplementation. Six studies evaluated colostrum and two included supplementation of children. It was found that supplementation in the puerperium increases the concentrations of serum retinol and breast milk, however, this result was in the short term and was relevant when the previous concentrations of the mother were low. When maternal serum concentrations are adequate, the retinol content in milk does not change, with little relevance for children. Further studies should be performed to evaluate the effect of megadoses supplementation on serum concentrations of children.

Effects of Inflammation on Biomarkers of Vitamin A Status among a Cohort of Bolivian Infants

Globally, vitamin A deficiency (VAD) affects nearly 200 million children with negative health consequences. VAD can be measured by a retinol-binding protein (RBP) and serum retinol concentrations. Their concentrations are not always present in a 1:1 molar ratio and are affected by inflammation. This study sought to quantify VAD and its impact on infant mortality and infectious morbidity during the first 18 months of life in a cohort of mother-infant dyads in El Alto, Bolivia, while accounting for the previously mentioned measurement issues. Healthy mother-infant dyads (n = 461) were enrolled from two hospitals and followed for 12 to 18 months. Three serum samples were collected (at one to two, six to eight, and 12 to 18 months of infant age) and analyzed for RBP, and a random 10% subsample was analyzed for retinol. Linear regression of RBP on retinol was used to generate RBP cut-offs equivalent to retinol <0.7 µmol/L. All measures of RBP and retinol were adjusted for inflammation, which was measured by a C-reactive protein and alpha (1)-acid glycoprotein serum concentrations using linear regression. Infant mortality and morbidity rates were calculated and compared by early VAD status at two months of age. Retinol and RBP were weakly affected by inflammation. This association varied with infant age. Estimated VAD (RBP < 0.7 µmol/L) decreased from 71.0% to 14.8% to 7.7% at two, six to eight, and 12 to 18 months of age. VAD was almost nonexistent in mothers. Early VAD was not significantly associated with infant mortality or morbidity rates. This study confirmed a relationship between inflammation and vitamin A biomarkers for some subsets of the population and suggested that the vitamin A status in early infancy improves with age and may not have significantly affected morbidity in this population of healthy infants.

Retinol-to-Fat Ratio and Retinol Concentration in Human Milk Show Similar Time Trends and Associations with Maternal Factors at the Population Level: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Vitamin A in human milk is critical for meeting infant requirements and building liver stores needed after weaning. A number of studies have measured milk retinol, but only a subset have corrected for fat, which serves as the retinol carrier in breast milk. The purpose of the present work was to review and analyze studies in which human-milk retinol concentrations were reported in relation to milk fat and to compare these results with unadjusted breast-milk retinol concentrations in terms of time trends over the course of lactation, influences of maternal nutritional and constitutional factors, and effects of maternal vitamin A supplementation. A systematic approach was used to search the available literature by using the US National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE/PubMed bibliographic search engine. Observational and intervention studies were included if the research was original and the retinol-to-fat ratio (retinol:fat) in human milk was measured at ≥1 time point during the first 12 mo of lactation. Retinol:fat and retinol were highest in colostrum, declined rapidly in early lactation, and achieved statistical stability by 2 and 4 wk lactation, respectively. In mature milk, retinol concentration was positively correlated with milk fat (r = 0.61, P = 0.008). Breast-milk retinol:fat and retinol were positively associated with maternal vitamin A intake but were associated with plasma retinol only when dietary intake was inadequate. Postpartum supplementation with high-dose vitamin A (200,000-400,000 IU) resulted in significantly higher breast-milk retinol:fat for 3 mo and retinol for 6 mo (P < 0.05). In populations, the 2 indexes show similar trends and associations with maternal factors. Future studies should monitor how the uptake of retinol into the mammary gland affects maternal vitamin reserves, particularly in women who are at risk of vitamin A deficiency.

Macro- and Micronutrients of Human Milk Composition: Are They Related to Maternal Diet? A Comprehensive Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

This study aims at systematically reviewing the observational and interventional studies on the association of maternal macro- and micronutrient intake with breast milk content.

METHODS

We systematically searched the Medline via PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Knowledge till October 2016 with the following search strategy: ("human milk" OR "breast milk" OR "breast milk composition" OR "human breast milk composition" OR "composition breast milk" OR "mother milk" OR "human breast milk") AND ("maternal diet" OR "maternal nutrition"). We also searched Google scholar for increasing the sensitivity of our search. The search was not limited to title and abstract due to the possibility that the desired outcome might have been considered a secondary aim. We excluded conference papers, editorials, letters, commentary, short survey, and notes. The search was refined to English language, and we did not consider any time limitation. To increase the sensitivity and to select more studies, the reference list of the published studies was checked as well.

RESULTS

This review included 59 observational and 43 interventional studies on maternal diet related to breast milk composition. Different studies determined the associations and effects of some maternal dietary intake of micro and macronutrients and its reflection in human milk.

CONCLUSION

Maternal dietary intake, particularly fatty acids, and some micronutrients, including fat soluble vitamins, vitamin B₁, and vitamin C, was related to their content in breast milk composition.

Vitamin A supplementation in Brazilian pregnant and postpartum women: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of vitamin A supplementation on adult pregnant and puerperal women in Brazil regarding the content of vitamin A and secretory immunoglobulin A on colostrum and breast milk, in child's health conditions, and in mother-child binomial vitamin A status.

METHODS

A research was conducted in Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Lilacs electronic databases for the studies published between January 2000 and January 2014. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed according to Jadad scale. The study search was conducted in January 2014, independently by two authors.

RESULTS

Seven studies were found concerning the effects of vitamin A supplementation in the puerperal period on breast milk and infant morbidity. No study regarding pregnant women supplementation was found. The supplementation in the puerperal period raised the retinol content on breast milk, thus increasing the offer of vitamin A for the child and the concentration of secretory immunoglobulin A on colostrum. There was no description of effects on infant morbidity.

CONCLUSION

It seems that the advantages of postpartum supplementation were not established in the Brazilian program, although the supplementation contributes to a better nutritional status of vitamin A for both the child and the puerperal woman and increases the offer of vitamin A for the newborn through the breast milk.

Neonatal vitamin A supplementation for the prevention of mortality and morbidity in term neonates in low and middle income countries

BACKGROUND

Vitamin A deficiency is a major public health problem in low and middle income countries. Vitamin A supplementation in children six months of age and older has been found to be beneficial, but no effect of supplementation has been noted for children between one and five months of age. Supplementation during the neonatal period has been suggested to have an impact by increasing body stores in early infancy.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the role of vitamin A supplementation for term neonates in low and middle income countries with respect to prevention of mortality and morbidity.

SEARCH METHODS

We used the standard search strategy of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group to search the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2016, Issue 2), MEDLINE via PubMed (1966 to 13 March 2016), Embase (1980 to 13 March 2016) and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL; 1982 to 13 March 2016). We also searched clinical trials databases, conference proceedings and reference lists of retrieved articles for randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials. Also trials with a factorial design.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted study data. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to assess the quality of evidence.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 12 trials (168,460 neonates) in this review, with only a few trials reporting disaggregated data for term infants. Therefore, we analysed data and presented estimates for term infants (when specified) and for all infants.Data for term neonates from three studies did not show a statistically significant effect on the risk of infant mortality at six months in the vitamin A group compared with the control group (typical risk ratio (RR) 0.80; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54 to 1.18; I2 = 63%). Analysis of data for all infants from 11 studies revealed no evidence of a significant reduction in the risk of infant mortality at six months among neonates supplemented with vitamin A compared with control neonates (typical RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.07; I2 = 47%). We observed similar results for infant mortality at 12 months of age with no significant effect of vitamin A compared with control (typical RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.15; I2 = 47%). Limited data were available for the outcomes of cause-specific mortality and morbidity, vitamin A deficiency, anaemia and adverse events.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Given the high burden of death among children younger than five years of age in low and middle income countries, and the fact that mortality in infancy is a major contributory cause, it is critical to obtain sound scientific evidence of the effect of vitamin A supplementation during the neonatal period on infant mortality and morbidity. Evidence provided in this review does not indicate a potential beneficial effect of vitamin A supplementation among neonates at birth in reducing mortality during the first six months or 12 months of life. Given this finding and the absence of a clear indication of the biological mechanism through which vitamin A could affect mortality, along with substantial conflicting findings from individual studies conducted in settings with potentially varying levels of maternal vitamin A deficiency and infant mortality, absence of follow-up studies assessing any long-term impact of a bulging fontanelle after supplementation and the finding of a potentially harmful effect among female infants, additional research is warranted before a decision can be reached regarding policy recommendations for this intervention.

Vitamin A supplementation for postpartum women

BACKGROUND

In areas where vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a public health concern, the maternal dietary intake of vitamin A may be not sufficient to meet either the maternal nutritional requirements, or those of the breastfed infant, due the low retinol concentrations in breast milk.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects of vitamin A supplementation for postpartum women on maternal and infant health.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (8 February 2016), LILACS (1982 to December 2015), Web of Science (1945 to December 2015), and the reference lists of retrieved studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or cluster-randomised trials that assessed the effects of vitamin A supplementation for postpartum women on maternal and infant health (morbidity, mortality and vitamin A nutritional status).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion, conducted data extraction, assessed risk of bias and checked for accuracy. We assessed the quality of the evidence using the GRADE approach.

MAIN RESULTS

Fourteen trials of mainly low or unclear risk of bias, enrolling 25,758 women and infant pairs were included. The supplementation schemes included high, single or double doses of vitamin A (200,000 to 400,000 internation units (IU)), or 7.8 mg daily beta-carotene compared with placebo, no treatment, other (iron); or higher (400,000 IU) versus lower dose (200,000 IU). In all trials, a considerable proportion of infants were at least partially breastfed until six months. Supplement (vitamin A as retinyl, water-miscible or beta-carotene) 200,000 to 400,000 IU versus control (placebo or no treatment) Maternal: We did not find evidence that vitamin A supplementation reduced maternal mortality at 12 months (hazard ratio (HR) 1.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.44 to 2.21; 8577 participants; 1 RCT, moderate-quality evidence). Effects were less certain at six months (risk ratio (RR) 0.50, 95% CI 0.09 to 2.71; 564 participants; 1 RCT; low-quality evidence). The effect on maternal morbidity (diarrhoea, respiratory infections, fever) was uncertain because the quality of evidence was very low (50 participants, 1 RCT). We found insufficient evidence that vitamin A increases abdominal pain (RR 1.28, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.73; 786 participants; 1 RCT; low-quality evidence). We found low-quality evidence that vitamin A supplementation increased breast milk retinol concentrations by 0.20 µmol/L at three to three and a half months (mean difference (MD) 0.20 µmol/L, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.31; 837 participants; 6 RCTs). Infant: We did not find evidence that vitamin A supplementation reduced infant mortality at two to 12 months (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.52; 6090 participants; 5 RCTs; low-quality evidence). Effects on morbidity (gastroenteritis at three months) was uncertain (RR 6.03, 95% CI 0.30 to 121.82; 84 participants; 1 RCT; very low-quality evidence). There was low-quality evidence for the effect on infant adverse outcomes (bulging fontanelle at 24 to 48 hours) (RR 2.00, 95% CI 0.61 to 6.55; 444 participants; 1 RCT). Supplement (vitamin A as retinyl) 400,000 IU versus 200,000 IUThree studies (1312 participants) were included in this comparison. None of the studies assessed maternal mortality, maternal morbidity or infant mortality. Findings from one study showed that there may be little or no difference in infant morbidity between the doses (diarrhoea, respiratory illnesses, and febrile illnesses) (312 participants, data not pooled). No firm conclusion could be drawn on the impact on maternal and infant adverse outcomes (limited data available).The effect on breast milk retinol was also uncertain due to the small amount of information available.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There was no evidence of benefit from different doses of vitamin A supplementation for postpartum women on maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, compared with other doses or placebo. Although maternal breast milk retinol concentrations improved with supplementation, this did not translate to health benefits for either women or infants. Few studies reported on maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. Future studies should include these important outcomes.

Revista de Saúde Pública: 50 years disseminating the knowledge in nutrition

This work describes and comments on articles in the area of Public Health Nutrition published in Revista de Saúde Pública (RSP – Public Health Journal) from 1967 to 2016. We searched in the PubMed database restricted to the periodical “Revista de Saúde Pública” and using terms related to key topics in the area of Public Health Nutrition. We retrieved 742 articles and, after exclusion of duplicates and articles unrelated to the subject, we analyzed 441 articles, grouped according to subject: dental caries, anemia, hypovitaminosis A, macro/micronutrients, malnutrition, nutritional assessment, overweight/obesity, food consumption, low birthweight, and breastfeeding. We observed significant increase in the number of articles published and diversification of subjects addressed over the 50 years, representing the consistent development of the scientific field of Nutrition in Brazil. Since its inception, RSP has played an important role in the dissemination of knowledge about the main nutritional issues in Brazil.

The Effect of a Maternal Double Megadose of Vitamin A Supplement on Serum Levels of Retinol in Children Aged under Six Months

Objective. To measure concentrations of serum retinol in children after the use of maternal vitamin A double megadose supplements. Design. Randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting. The study was conducted at two maternity hospitals in the city of Recife, in the northeast region of Brazil between August 2007 and June 2009. Subjects and Methods. 276 children/mothers were recruited after birth and the women received a 200,000 IU capsule of vitamin A. After ten days they were randomly assigned to two treatment groups. One group received a second 200.000 IU capsule, while the other received a placebo. The concentrations of retinol in the serum of the children from each group were measured at 2, 4, and 6 months. Results. 173 children completed the study. There was no difference between the two treatment groups (P = 0.514). The mean base retinol level was lower than that at four and six months (P < 0.001). Conclusions. The maternal double megadose supplement had no additional effect on the serum retinol levels of the children, although concentrations of retinol in the children rose in the first six months of life. This trial is registered with NCT00742937.

Neonatal vitamin A supplementation for the prevention of mortality and morbidity in term neonates in developing countries

BACKGROUND

Vitamin A deficiency is a major public health problem in developing countries. Vitamin A supplementation in children greater than six months of age has been found to be beneficial, with no effect of supplementation between one to five months. Supplementation in the neonatal period has been suggested to have an impact by increasing body stores in early infancy.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the role of vitamin A supplementation in term neonates in developing countries with respect to the prevention of mortality and morbidity.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library, May 2010), EMBASE and MEDLINE (1966 to May 2010) via PubMed.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials. Trials with factorial designs were also included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted the data.

MAIN RESULTS

Seven trials (51,446 neonates) were included in this review, with only few trials reporting disaggregated data for term infants. Therefore, we analysed data and presented estimates for term infants (where specified) followed by all infants.Data for term neonates from three studies showed a statistically significant effect on the risk of infant mortality at six months in the vitamin A group compared with the control group (typical risk ratio (RR) 0.82; 95% CI 0.68 to 0.99; I(2) 63%). Analysis of data for all infants from five studies showed a 14% reduction in the risk of infant mortality at six months in neonates supplemented with vitamin A compared to control; this reduction was statistically significant (typical RR 0.86; 95% CI 0.77 to 0.97; I(2) 39%). These findings should be interpreted with caution, however, due to the small number of included studies, wide confidence intervals with upper levels close to the null effect and statistical heterogeneity. Vitamin A supplementation failed to show any significant effect on infant mortality at 12 months of age compared to control (typical rate ratio 1.03; 95% CI 0.87 to 1.23; I(2) 49%). Limited data were available for the outcomes of cause-specific mortality and morbidity, vitamin A deficiency, anaemia and adverse events.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Considering mortality in early infancy being a major contributory cause of overall child mortality for the under five year old group in developing countries, it is critical to obtain sound scientific evidence of the effect of vitamin A supplementation in neonates. Evidence provided in this review does indicate a potential beneficial effect of supplementing neonates with vitamin A at birth for reducing mortality in the first half of infancy. Considering the absence of a clear indication of the biological mechanism and conflicting findings from individual studies in settings with varying levels of maternal vitamin A deficiency and infant mortality, and given four additional ongoing trials with approximately 100,000 neonates being enrolled, we propose a delay in any policy recommendations for neonatal vitamin A supplementation.

Vitamin A supplementation for postpartum women

BACKGROUND

In vitamin A deficient populations, the amount of vitamin A may be insufficient for maintenance of maternal health and levels in breast milk may be insufficient for breastfeeding infants' needs.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of postpartum maternal vitamin A supplementation on maternal and infant health.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (31 July 2010), LILACS (1982 to July 2010), Web of Science (1945 to July 2010) and Biological Abstracts (1998 to July 2010).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials evaluating the effects of postpartum maternal vitamin A supplementation.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors assessed the studies independently.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 12 trials at moderate risk of bias, enrolling 25,465 mother-baby pairs and comparing several postpartum doses (200,000-400,000 IU) of vitamin A or 7.8 mg daily beta-carotene, with placebo, iron or no supplement; or higher (400,000 IU) versus lower dose (200,000 IU). The majority of infants in all studies were at least partially breastfed for six months.Maternal: we observed no impact of vitamin A on maternal mortality (two trials of 9,126 women), morbidity (one trial of 50 women) or adverse effects (subset of 786 women in one trial). Vitamin A enhanced serum and breast milk retinol at three months in five trials, but these improvements were generally not sustained.Infant: we observed no significant differences for infant mortality RR 1.14 95% CI 0.84 to 1.57 (five trials (6,170 infants) or morbidity (three trials) except for fewer episodes of fever with vitamin A in one small trial. No significant differences in infant vitamin A status were seen with maternal vitamin A supplementation (five trials).No beneficial effects for maternal or infant health were associated with higher compared to lower doses of vitamin A in two trials.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The lack of effect on maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, with exception of some improved infant morbidity in one small study, and the improvement in maternal vitamin A status, suggest that maternal postpartum vitamin A supplementation offers limited benefits.