Teratogenicity of high vitamin A intake
Rothman KJ, Moore LL, Singer MR, Nguyen US, Mannino S, Milunsky A
Published in N Engl J Med, Vol. 333 (21), pp. 1369-73
Methodology
Prospective study of 22,748 pregnant women screened by serum alpha-fetoprotein or amniocentesis between 1984 and 1987. Nurse interviewers recorded diet, medications and illnesses in the first trimester; pregnancy outcomes came from obstetricians or the women.
Key Findings
For defects of cranial-neural-crest tissue, babies of women consuming over 15,000 IU of preformed vitamin A a day from food and supplements had a prevalence ratio of 3.5 (95% CI 1.7-7.3) versus 5,000 IU or less. For supplements alone, over 10,000 IU a day gave a ratio of 4.8 (95% CI 2.2-10.5), with an apparent threshold near 10,000 IU a day.
Conclusions
High intake of preformed vitamin A appears teratogenic; about 1 infant in 57 had a malformation attributable to a supplement above 10,000 IU a day.
Limitations
Observational, with dietary intake self-reported; the study was not specific to liver. Most of the effect appeared in the supplement group.
Supplements Studied
High dietary intake of preformed vitamin A appears to be teratogenic
High dietary intake of preformed vitamin A appears to be teratogenic
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.