PIP:

A large field trial conducted in Nepal confirmed a beneficial effect of vitamin A and beta carotene supplementation on maternal mortality. Maternal deaths during pregnancy or within 12 weeks of delivery occurred at rates of 704/100,000 pregnancies (51/7241) in women who received a placebo, 426/100,000 pregnancies (33/7747) in women who received a single oral vitamin A supplement per week, and 361/100,000 pregnancies (26/7201) among those who received weekly oral beta carotene. The relative risks of pregnancy-related mortality were 0.60 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.37-0.97) for vitamin A and 0.51 (95% CI, 0.30-0.86) for beta carotene. Before widespread vitamin A and beta carotene supplementation programs are implemented, further evaluation is required of the possible hazards to women of childbearing age and their offspring. For example, exposure to vitamin A during pregnancy has been linked to fetal malformations and schizophrenia.