Table 13 Impact of vitamin A/β-carotene supplementation on stillbirths and perinatal mortality

Rumbold et al. 2005 [87]

Tanzania, Nepal, Indonesia.

Meta-analysis (Cochrane). 3 RCTs included.

Assessed the impact on pregnancy outcomes of vitamin A supplementation +/- multivitamins (intervention #1), compared to supplementation with placebo +/- multivitamins (controls). Also assessed the impact of vitamin A + iron + folate (intervention #2) vs. iron + folate (controls).

SBR: RR = 1.04 (95% CI: 0.60–1.79) [NS] in those supplemented with vitamin A (+/- multivitamins) vs. those supplemented with placebo (+/- multivitamins)[1 RCT, N = 11723 women]

SBR: RR = 1.26 (95% CI: 0.53–3.01) [NS] in those supplemented with vitamin A + iron + folate vs. those supplemented with iron + folate [2 RCTs, N = 940 women]

van den Broek et al. 2002 [96]

Nepal.

Review (Cochrane). 1 RCT included.

Assessed the impact on pregnancy outcomes of vitamin A (intervention #1) and/or β-carotene (intervention #2) supplementation vs. placebo (controls).

Fetal death: RR = 1.04 (95% CI: 0.92–1.17) [NS] in women receiving vitamin A vs. controls, respectively.

Fetal death: RR = 1.03 (95% CI: 0.91–1.16) [NS] in women receiving β-carotene vs. controls, respectively.

Wiysonge et al. 2005 [100]

South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Malawi.

Meta-analysis (Cochrane). 4 RCTs included.

Compared the impact on pregnancy outcomes of vitamin A supplementation (intervention) vs. no vitamin A supplementation (controls).

SBR: OR = 0.99 (95% CI: 0.67–1.46) [NS].