Vitamin A and Pregnancy.

Vitamin A is a vitamin which is soluble in fats and therefore requires fat to be metabolized. It is an important vitamin that is required during pregnancy. It is stored in the liver and is of two types:

• Preformed Vitamin A is the most common form and can be directly used by the body. It is called retinal or retinoids and is found in foods of animal origin like milk, eggs and liver.
• Provitamin A carotenoids or beta-carotene which is converted inside the body into usable vitamin A and found in red, yellow, orange and dark green fruits and vegetables.

If an adult stopped having vitamin A in his diet, it would take about 2 years for signs of vitamin A deficiency to manifest. This speaks of highly of vitamin A stores in the body (liver).

Why You require Vitamin A in Pregnancy.

In pregnancy, vitamin A  is required both by the mother and the growing baby. It is required for the growth of the baby’s lungs, heart, eyes, bones and for the integrity of the body cells. It also helps in the development of the nervous and circulatory systems of the fetus. It promotes fat metabolism and the resistance to fight infection.

Similarly, it also helps to have good vision, promotes tissue repair after giving birth and increases immunity of the mother.

Should You take Vitamin A Supplements during Pregnancy.

A normal pregnancy diet gives you sufficient amount of vitamin A and usually there is no need to have exclusive vitamin A supplements. It is necessary not to increase your vitamin A requirement with supplements as too much of vitamin A can cause birth defects and liver toxicity. A pregnant woman or a woman planning to conceive should not take vitamin A supplements used for acne or some skin conditions. If you are taking such supplements, make sure you do not get pregnant by taking contraception measures. When pregnant, make sure to read the label before taking any prenatal supplements, and see if those supplements contain vitamin A or not. However small doses are of no concern.

Vitamin A Toxicity in Pregnancy.

Vitamin A toxicity cannot arise from eating your vitamin A diet. It can arise if you are taking too much of vitamin A through supplements or eating too much of liver and fish liver oils. Liver is high source of vitamin A and is a food to be avoided during pregnancy.

Your normal diet gives you enough of beta-carotene which does not act in the same way as preformed vitamin A and therefore having such foods therefore are safe from vitamin A toxicity.

On the baby.

High levels of vitamin A especially during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy can seriously harm the baby. It can cause birth defects and can affect the eyes, brain, face, the bones and the intellectual development of the baby. Liver toxicity is also a major side effect. Care should also be taken during breast-feeding as breast milk contains fats and this will easily allow the fat soluble vitamin A to pass through the breast milk to the baby.

On the mother.

Vitamin A toxicity can cause nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, blurring of vision and loss of muscle coordination.

Signs of Vitamin A Deficiency.

However your physician may prescribe supplements if he finds that you are deficient in vitamin A. The symptoms and signs of vitamin A deficiency include night blindness, lowered immunity and xerophthalmia which causes thickening and dryness of the cornea of the eyes. Headaches, cracked and decaying teeth and joint pains are other symptoms of vitamin A deficiency.

Vitamin A Dosage during Pregnancy.

In a pregnant woman under 18 years of age the recommended daily allowance (RDA) is 750 mcg (micrograms) and in pregnant women 19 years and above the RDA is 770 mcg.

In breast feeding mothers, the RDA increases and is 1200 mcg in pregnant woman under 18 years and 1300 mcg in women above 19 years.

Vitamin A Foods.

Fruits.

• Carrots,
• Watermelon,
• Mango,
• Tomato juice,
• Pumpkin,
• Prunes

Vegetables.

• Broccoli,
• Spinach,
• Sweet potatoes

Animal foods.

• Liver from  beef and chicken.
• Kidneys
• Fish liver oils,
• Eggs.

Dairy foods.

• Cow’s milk
• Cheese
• ice-cream

Other food sources

• Fortified cereals.
• Butternut.

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