Vitamin A levels in breast milk and its influencing factors / 中华围产医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Vitamin A plays a significant role in maintaining normal metabolism, cell differentiation, reproduction, vision and anti-infection. As a major food source of vitamin A for infants, the level of vitamin A in breast milk is highly important. Recent studies have shown that vitamin A levels in breast milk varied significantly in different stages of lactation, populations, regions and gestational ages at delivery. Moreover, studies demonstrated that it was also affected by many factors, such as maternal serum vitamin A levels and amounts of supplements during pregnancy, maternal vitamin A intake during lactation, maternal diet, high or low risk pregnancy, and vitamin A reservation in maternal liver. It is vital to understand the level of vitamin A in breast milk and its influencing factors to improve breast-feeding.