| dc.description.abstract |
Although advances in HIV prevention and treatment suggest the possibility of
creating an AIDS-free generation, many areas of the world still suffer from high
rates of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. Interventions proven to
significantly decrease rates of MTCT of HIV are often unavailable in resource-limited
settings due to lack of reliable clean water, low numbers of hospital deliveries and
inconsistent availability of antiretroviral medications. Vitamin A, with its multiple
roles in epithelial, reproductive and immune function, has been evaluated as a
possible intervention for preventing MTCT. Early observational studies suggested an
association between vitamin A deficiency and increased rates of MTCT of HIV;
however, the controlled studies that followed did not find a benefit for vitamin A in
decreasing MTCT rates. Although vitamin A has some benefits for infants
postpartum, it is not recommended for the reduction of the risk of MTCT of HIV. |
en_US |