Vitamin A In Pregnancy: Importance, Dosage, And Sources

Vitamin A In Pregnancy: Why Is It Important And What Are Its Vital Sources?

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An adequate intake of vitamin A in pregnancy can benefit maternal and fetal well-being. The nutrient plays a crucial role in fetal development and keeps the mother healthy. You can get vitamin A through various food items. Vitamin A supplements may also be considered if your doctor prescribes them. Despite the benefits of vitamin A, its excess intake may increase the risk of congenital malformationsⁱXStructural or functional abnormalities that develop during the fetal period. . Read on to know the importance of vitamin A in pregnancy and the right amount to consume.

In This Article

Why Is Vitamin A Important During Pregnancy?

Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient available abundantly in most foods and occurs in two forms (1).

Preformed vitamin A (from animal sources): It includes retinol and retinyl estersⁱXA kind of vitamin A used to make supplements and fortified foods. directly absorbed in the body.

Provitamin A carotenoids(from plant sources): It includes beta-caroteneⁱXA natural dye that gives color to fruits and vegetables and gets converted into vitamin A in the human body. that needs to be converted to retinol in the body for absorption.

Vitamin A contributes to the expecting mother’s and the fetus’ health in the following ways (2).

For the mother:

Vitamin A during pregnancy helps in postpartum tissue repair.

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Helps in postpartum tissue repair
Maintains normal eyesight
Strengthens immune system
Maintains the functional capacity of the female reproductive system

For the fetus:

Assists in bone development
Promotes fetal organ development and bone health
Helps in the growth and formation of epithelial tissueⁱXA thin protective layer of tissue that forms the outer covering of the body and also lines the glands and organs.

Quick fact

Vitamin A helps maintain maternal night vision and fetal ocular health (9).

How Much Vitamin A Is Required During Pregnancy?

According to the National Institute of Health, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamin A for pregnant women between the ages of 19 and 50 years is 770 micrograms (3). RAE is the standard measurement of vitamin A and stands for retinol activity equivalents (RAE). It indicates the potency of the vitamin A source (retinol or provitamin A).

One microgram (mcg) of RAE is equivalent to any one of the following values.

1 mcg retinol
2 mcg beta-carotene from supplementation
12 mcg beta-carotene from diet
24 mcg alpha-carotene
24 mcg beta-cryptoxanthinⁱXA naturally occurring fruit pigment that is also present in human blood and tissues.

Sometimes, vitamin A is also measured in international units (IU). The conversions of IU to RAE are as follows.

1 IU retinol = 0.3 mcg RAE
1 IU supplemental beta-carotene = 0.3 mcg RAE
1 IU dietary beta-carotene = 0.05 mcg RAE
1 IU dietary alpha-carotene or beta-cryptoxanthin = 0.025 mcg RAE

Quick fact

Vitamin A supplementation can help prevent anemia and maternal infection (10).

What Are The Good Sources Of Vitamin A?

The following foods are rich sources of vitamin A.

Food	Serving	Micrograms (mcg) RAE per serving	Percentage daily value
Beef liver, pan fried	3 ounces	6,582	731
Sweet potato, baked in skin	1 whole	1,403	156
Spinach, frozen, boiled	½ cup	573	64
Pumpkin pie, commercially prepared	1 piece	488	54
Carrots, raw	½ cup	459	51
Ice cream, French vanilla, soft serve	1 cup	278	31
Cheese, ricotta, part skim	1 cup	263	29
Herring, Atlantic, pickled	3 ounces	219	24
Milk, fat free or skim, fortified with vitamin A	1 cup	149	17
Cantaloupe, raw	½ cup	135	15
Peppers, sweet, red, raw	½ cup	117	13
Mangos, raw	1 whole	112	12
Breakfast cereals, fortified with 10% of the DV for vitamin A	1 serving	90	10
Egg, hard boiled	1 large	75	8
Black-eyed peas (cowpeas), boiled	1 cup	66	7
Apricots, dried, sulfured	10 halves	63	7
Broccoli, boiled	½ cup	60	7
Salmon, sockeye, cooked	3 ounces	59	7
Tomato juice, canned	¾ cup	42	5
Yogurt, plain, low fat	1 cup	32	4
Tuna, light, canned in oil, drained solids	3 ounces	20	2
Baked beans, canned, plain or vegetarian	1 cup	13	1
Summer squash, all varieties, boiled	½ cup	10	1
Chicken, breast meat and skin, roasted	½ breast	5	1
Pistachio nuts, dry roasted	1 ounce	4	0

Source: Vitamin A, National Institute of Health.

A balanced diet should supply the required vitamin A during pregnancy for optimal nutrition. However, if you have any micronutrient deficiencies, your physician may recommend vitamin supplements. Do not take supplements unless prescribed by a healthcare provider since they may have side effects.

Is Too Much Vitamin A Bad During Pregnancy?

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An intake of more than 4500mcg RAE (15,000 IU) of dietary vitamin A or 3000mcg RAE (10,000 IU) of supplemental vitamin A can lead to toxicity, also termed hypervitaminosis. A few studies state that vitamin A toxicity during the early stages of pregnancy could lead to congenital malformations (2) (4). Hence, consume foods rich in vitamin A as part of a balanced diet and avoid supplementation during pregnancy unless prescribed by your doctor.

The symptoms of vitamin A toxicity include the following.

Dizziness
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of balance
Fatigue
Headache
Vertigo
Blurred vision
Weight loss

Apart from supplements, regular liver intake may also cause vitamin A toxicity since it is rich in this nutrient. Speak to your doctor or dietician regarding the right food choices to safely get adequate vitamin A intake.

How To Safely Consume Vitamin A During Pregnancy?

Include vitamin A-rich foods as part of a balanced diet.

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The following tips could help you avoid overdosing on vitamin A.

Avoid taking vitamin A supplements if you consume liver and other food preparations made with liver frequently.
Speak to your doctor before taking any prenatal vitamin supplements to prevent overdosing.
Generally, multivitamins proposed to pregnant women contain a number of vitamin A units.
Include vitamin A-rich fortified foods as part of a balanced diet and avoid overeating a specific food item. You may speak to a dietician who can design a diet plan for adequate vitamin A intake based on your age and pregnancy trimester.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does vitamin A cause congenital disabilities?

A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine states that retinoids (retinol) may pose teratogenic properties. A teratogenic substance acts on the embryo and leads to its abnormal development. These teratogenic effects of retinoids (not carotenoids) result in congenital disabilities in a developing fetus (5) (6).

2. Are vitamin A skin creams safe to use during pregnancy?

The role of vitamin A in maintaining skin integrity has made it a crucial ingredient in many skin care products. Although the rate of absorption into the skin is low, you may still avoid them to be on the safe side. Physicians usually prescribe creams devoid of vitamin A or retinol derivatives during pregnancy (7).

3. Which vitamins should you avoid when pregnant?

You should avoid taking multivitamins with vitamin A and exclusive vitamin A supplements during pregnancy unless directed otherwise by your doctor (8).

A balanced and healthy diet can usually meet your daily requirements of vitamin A in pregnancy. The body always has a store of vitamin A. Consult a physician for a checkup before conception. If you have low levels of vitamin A in your body, your healthcare provider may prescribe a supplementation plan to improve vitamin A levels for a healthy pregnancy.

Infographic: Why To Include Vitamin A In Pregnancy Diet?

From eggs, lean meat, and dairy products to fresh fruits and vegetables, various dietary sources of vitamin A are recommended for pregnant women. However, at the same time, its overconsumption can be harmful as well. So, if you’re curious why pregnant women need vitamin A, check out our infographic below to know in detail.

importance of vitamin a during pregnancy (infographic)

Key Pointers

Vitamin A supports fetal bone health and boosts maternal immunity and tissue repair.
Good sources of vitamin A include liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, pumpkin, and fish.
Pregnant women should aim to consume about 770 micrograms of vitamin A daily.
Vitamin A supplements should only be taken when prescribed by a doctor during pregnancy.
Excessive intake of vitamin A (more than 4500 micrograms) can lead to toxicities and fetal malformation, especially if taken in early pregnancy.

Image: Dalle E/MomJunction Design Team

References

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