Effects of vitamin A and β-carotene supplementation on birth size and length of gestation in rural Bangladesh: a cluster-randomized trial.

Study answer

What this study found

Weekly prenatal vitamin A or beta-carotene supplementation did not improve birth size or gestational duration in this population. Birth weight was essentially unchanged for vitamin A versus placebo (2447 g vs 2447 g; difference 0.0, 95% CI -18 to 17; P = 0.97) and slightly lower with beta-carotene (2429 g vs 2447 g; difference -18, 95% CI -37 to 0; P = 0.06). Length, head circumference, chest circumference, midupper arm circumference, ponderal index, and gestational duration were also null: for vitamin A, length difference 0.04 cm (P = 0.43) and gestational duration difference -0.01 weeks (P…

Study & population

Cluster-randomized trial conducted in rural northwestern Bangladesh (Gaibandha and Rangpur districts) from 2001 to 2007.

Intervention

Pregnant women received a weekly oral capsule from enrollment in pregnancy until 3 months postpartum.

Key limitation

The trial was conducted in a single rural Bangladeshi setting, so generalizability is limited.

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Original abstract