Vitamin A and neonatal anthropometry

Low levels of vitamin A have a major impact on growth, development, and imm unity. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between cord concentrations of vitamin A and neonatal anthropometry in 711 babies born at term in Brazil. Gestational age of the babies was evaluated by the Capur ro method. Vitamin A was measured by high performance liquid chromatography . Concentrations of vitamin A in cord blood correlated significantly (p < 0 .001) with birthweight (r = 0.24), length (r = 0.20), chest circumference ( r = 0.24), mid-upper arm circumference (r = 0.23), triceps skinfold thickne ss (r = 0.26), and head circumference (r = 0.12) of the babies. The anthrop ometric measurements of the babies were sorted by the vitamin A concentrati ons (means and standard deviations) and divided into quartiles. Differences between the quartiles were tested by analysis of variance. Babies in the b ottom length, head circumference and triceps skinfold thickness quartiles h ad lower mean vitamin A concentrations than those of quartiles two, three a nd four. Babies in the bottom birthweight, chest and mid-upper arm circumfe rences quartiles had lower mean vitamin A concentrations than those of quar tiles three and four (p < 0.003). These data shows that smaller/shorter bab ies had lower concentrations of vitamin A than heavier/longer babies, proba bly reflecting the important role of this micronutrient on growth.