Correlation of vitamin A nutritional status on alpha‐tocopherol in the colostrum of lactating women

Abstract

Abstract The adequate supply of vitamins A and E to newborns is essential. However, factors such as maternal nutritional status and nutrient interaction may limit its bioavailability. The aim of this study was to establish nutritional status for vitamins A and E and evaluate the correlation of retinol on colostrum alpha‐tocopherol in lactating women. A total of 103 lactating women were recruited at a Brazilian public maternity hospital. Fasting serum and colostrum samples were collected in the immediate post‐partum. Retinol and alpha‐tocopherol levels were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography and nutritional status for these vitamins was defined from specific cut‐off points for serum and colostrum. Mean serum and colostrum retinol (1.49 µmol L−1, 2.18 µmol L−1) and alpha‐tocopherol (26.4 µmol L−1, 26.1 µmol L−1) indicated satisfactory biochemical status. However, we found a prevalence of subclinical deficiency of vitamin A and vitamin E in serum (15.5% and 16%) and colostrum (50% and 60%). Lactating women with serum retinol ≥ 1.05 µmol L−1 showed an inverse correlation between serum retinol and alpha‐tocopherol concentration in the colostrum (P = 0.008, r = −0.28). This association was not observed in serum level < 1.05 µmol L−1. The nutritional status of lactating women for vitamins A and E was adequate, although there is a risk of subclinical deficiency. The negative correlation of serum retinol on alpha‐tocopherol concentration in the colostrum must be carefully evaluated in situations of vitamin A supplementation, because alpha‐tocopherol bioavailability in maternal milk may be compromised.

Keywords

• puerperal
• vitamina A
• vitamina E
• serum
• colostrum
• HPLC