TY - JOUR
T1 - Vitamin A deficiency as a preventable cause of maternal mortality in undernourished societies
T2 - Plausibility and next steps
AU - West, K. P.
PY - 2004/6
Y1 - 2004/6
N2 - Maternal vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem in the developing world. Recent evidence from Nepal suggests that supplementing populations of rural, poor, and undernourished women with a recommended dietary amount of vitamin A - or its equivalent as beta-carotene - can lower mortality risk related to pregnancy and childbirth, presumably by reducing the severity of conditions such as sepsis, tuberculosis, and diarrheal diseases. An adequate intake of beta-carotene may also reduce some maternal health risks related to oxidative stress. These findings reveal the potential for vitamin A and other micronutrient interventions to improve maternal and infant health and survival. They also present important implementation challenges for the developing world.
AB - Maternal vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem in the developing world. Recent evidence from Nepal suggests that supplementing populations of rural, poor, and undernourished women with a recommended dietary amount of vitamin A - or its equivalent as beta-carotene - can lower mortality risk related to pregnancy and childbirth, presumably by reducing the severity of conditions such as sepsis, tuberculosis, and diarrheal diseases. An adequate intake of beta-carotene may also reduce some maternal health risks related to oxidative stress. These findings reveal the potential for vitamin A and other micronutrient interventions to improve maternal and infant health and survival. They also present important implementation challenges for the developing world.
KW - Developing countries
KW - Diet
KW - Food fortification
KW - Maternal vitamin A deficiency
KW - Micronutrient supplementation
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U2 - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2004.02.008
DO - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2004.02.008
M3 - Article
C2 - 15147851
AN - SCOPUS:2442559316
SN - 0020-7292
VL - 85
SP - S24-S27
JO - International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
JF - International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
IS - 1 SUPPL.
ER -