Vitamin A Supplementation in Pregnancy

 In Cameroon, almost 40% of the population of children under five years old is at risk of vitamin A deficiency (VAD), with rates exceeding 62% in the North region

Since 2008, national Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Action Weeks (MCHNAW) have been organized twice yearly to provide high-impact interventions that address child survival and maternal mortality. In June 2009, the MCHNAW included vitamin A supplementation for children 6 to 59 months and women of reproductive age. Other interventions offered included de-worming for preschoolers 12 to 59 months, measles immunization for children 9 to 59 months, polio vaccines for all children under 5, and treatments for pregnant women (Helen Keller International Vitamin A Supplementation in Cameroon)

Where Vitamin A Deficiency is endemic among children and maternal diets are low in Vitamin A, health workers should provide:

- a daily supplement not exceeding 10,000 IU vitamin A during pregnancy or

 

- a weekly supplement not exceeding 25,000 IU Vitamin A after the first trimester. These supplements will benefit the mother and her developing fetus with little risk of harm to either

 

- after the mother gives birth, she should receive 200,000 IU vitamin A.

A large study from Nepal examined the effects of vitamin A supplementation on the reduction of pregnancy-related and direct mortality occurring within 12 weeks post partum, including injury-related deaths WHO-Nepal study