Effects of Vitamin A or Beta Carotene Supplementation on Pregnancy-Related Mortality and Infant Mortality in Rural Bangladesh

CONTEXT: Maternal vitamin A deficiency is a public health concern in the developing world. Its prevention may improve maternal and infant survival. OBJECTIVE: To assess efficacy of maternal vitamin A or beta carotene supplementation in reducing pregnancy-related and infant mortality. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Cluster randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial among pregnant women 13 to 45 years of age and their live-born infants to 12 weeks (84 days) postpartum in rural northern Bangladesh between 2001 and 2007. Interventions Five hundred ninety-six community clusters (study sectors) were randomized for pregnant women to receive weekly, from the first trimester through 12 weeks postpartum, 7000 μg of retinol equivalents as retinyl palmitate, 42 mg of all-trans beta carotene, or placebo. Married women (n =…