Abstract
This paper revises the available knowledge in literature, on the nutritional vitamin A status in the mother-child group. Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for reproduction. During pregnancy, th ere is a reduction of the levels of retinol in serum, and maternal hypovitaminosis A may occur, with metabolic alterations in the immunological system and bioavailab ility to the embryo. The effect ofgestation on the metabolism of vitamin A has not been wholly exp la ined, and the prop osed mechanisms are based on experimental findings. Mothers' vitamin A deficiency also alters the availability of this vitamin in human milk, which is an important source ofnutrients in the first months of life. Considering that hypovitaminosis A and its consequences can occur without detectable signs in the mother, with repercussions on the foetus, early detection of women at risk of deficiency must be a concern of the health institutes, as it is a nutritional deficiency with great impact on mother-child health.
Key words
Vitamin A; Vitamin A deficiency; Pregnancy; Maternal and Child Health