New evidence
A meta-analysis found that vitamin A supplementation cut the odds of deficiency by nearly half in pregnant and lactating women — but only at a severe threshold, and the same study saw no impact on infant vitamin A levels.
This is one of the first big-picture analyses on vitamin A for pregnant women in low-resource settings, showing a clear benefit for the mothers themselves — but the lack of effect on infant blood levels means the payoff for the baby is still uncertain, so this single meta-analysis doesn't settle the question.
The analysis of multiple studies found that giving vitamin A to pregnant and lactating women reduced their risk of falling below a very low blood level (0.7 μmol/L) by 45%. However, when researchers looked at vitamin A levels in the babies' cord blood, the supplements made no significant difference — so the mother clearly benefits, but the evidence that it reliably reaches the infant is still mixed.
Where this fits in the evidence
This is among the first studies we've indexed on Vitamin A for Reduced Vitamin A Deficiency — treat it as an early signal until more research accumulates.
The study
- Meta-Analysis
- 2025-12
- Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.)
This is a plain-language summary of a research finding, not medical advice. Pillser surfaces research signals to help you decide what's worth investigating — always consult a qualified professional before changing what you take.