Effect of providing vitamin supplements to human immunodeficiency virus-infected, lactating mothers on the child's morbidity and CD4+ cell counts

Clin Infect Dis. 2003 Apr 15;36(8):1053-62. doi: 10.1086/374223. Epub 2003 Apr 2.

Abstract

A total of 1078 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1-infected women from Tanzania were randomized in a placebo-controlled trial using a factorial design to examine the effects of supplementation with vitamin A (preformed vitamin A and beta carotene) and/or multivitamins (vitamins B, C, and E). Supplements were given during pregnancy and lactation. Children of women in the multivitamin arms had a significantly lower risk of diarrhea than did those in the no-multivitamin arm (P=.03). The mean CD4+ cell count was 151 cells/microL higher among children in the multivitamin arms than among those in the no-multivitamin arm (P=.0006). HIV-positive children experienced a benefit apparently similar to that in HIV-negative children (P=.34, by test for interaction). Maternal receipt of vitamin A significantly reduced the risk that the child would have cough with a rapid respiratory rate, a proxy for pneumonia (P=.03), but receipt of vitamin A had no effect on diarrhea or CD4+ cell count. Provision of multivitamin supplements (including those with vitamins B, C, and E) to HIV-infected, lactating women may be a low-cost intervention to improve their children's health.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count*
  • Diarrhea / epidemiology
  • Diarrhea / prevention & control
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Infant Mortality
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Lactation
  • Morbidity
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / immunology*
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects*
  • Vitamins / economics
  • Vitamins / pharmacology*
  • Vitamins / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Vitamins