Vitamin A supplementation in HIV-infected women during pregnancy
Over 1000 new cases of mother-to-child transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) occur worldwide every day, making this the main route of transmission of HIV infection in children. Vitamin A deficiency also affects about 19 million pregnant women, mostly from the WHO regions of Africa and South-East Asia, and has been associated with an increase in the risk of transmission of HIV from mother to child.
During pregnancy, vitamin A is essential for maternal health and for the healthy development of the fetus. As vitamin A also plays an important role in immune function, it has been suggested that providing vitamin A supplements to HIV positive women during pregnancy may reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Results from studies to date are inconsistent however, with the majority providing no clear indication of benefit.
WHO recommendations
Vitamin A supplementation in HIV-positive pregnant women is not recommended as a public health intervention for reducing the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Additional information for this recommendation can be found in the guidance summary and in the guideline, under 'WHO documents' below.
This is one of several WHO recommendations on vitamin A supplementation. The full set of recommendations can be found in 'Full set of recommendations'.
WHO documents
GRC-approved guidelines
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Vitamin A supplementation in pregnancy for reducing the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV
Publication date: 2011
Evidence
Systematic reviews used to develop the guidelines
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Vitamin A supplementation for reducing the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection
Wiysonge CS, Shey M, Kongnyuy EJ, Sterne JAC, Brocklehurst P.
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2011; Issue 1. Art. No.: CD003648. - Summary of this review
Related systematic reviews
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Vitamin supplementation for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and pre-term delivery: a systematic review of randomized trial including more than 2800 women.
Mills EJ, Wu P, Seely D, Guyatt GH.
AIDS Research and Therapy. 2005; 2:4. -
A systematic review of randomized controlled trials of prenatal and postnatal vitamin A supplementation of HIV-infected women.
Kongnyuy EJ, Wiysonge CS, Shey MS.
International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 2009; 104(1):5–8.