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Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research article

The effect of neonatal vitamin A supplementation on growth in the first year of life among low-birth-weight infants in Guinea-Bissau: two by two factorial randomised controlled trial

Authors: Sofie Biering-Sørensen, Ane Bærent Fisker, Henrik Ravn, Luis Camala, Ivan Monteiro, Peter Aaby, Christine Stabell Benn

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2013

Abstract

Background

Vitamin A supplementation (VAS) may amplify the effect of vaccines. We therefore investigated if neonatal VAS given with and without Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine to low-birth-weight (LBW) neonates had an effect on growth in the first year of life. We hypothesised that VAS would be particularly beneficial when provided with BCG.

Methods

We conducted a randomised two-by-two factorial trial in Guinea-Bissau; 1,717 LBW neonates were randomly allocated to VAS or placebo at birth as well as early or the usual postponed BCG vaccination. Anthropometric measurements were obtained at 2, 6, and 12 months after inclusion.

Results

Overall there was no effect of neonatal VAS on growth in the first year of life. By 2 months, VAS tended to have a beneficial effect on weight and head circumference when given with BCG but not when given without BCG (interaction: weight-for-age p = 0.07 and head circumference-for-age: p = 0.06). By 6 months, there was a beneficial effect of VAS on head circumference and weight among children who had not received DTP vaccine 2 months after inclusion (weight: 0.18 (0.00; 0.36) and head circumference 0.27 (0.06; 0.48)), but no beneficial effect among those who had received DTP.

Conclusion

The results support other trials indicating that neonatal VAS does not have consistent effects on childhood growth and if anything the effects seem to be temporary. They also show that the effect may differ by vaccination status, being beneficial when given with BCG at birth and when DTP is delayed.

Trial registration

http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00168610)

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2431/13/87/prepub

Title: The effect of neonatal vitamin A supplementation on growth in the first year of life among low-birth-weight infants in Guinea-Bissau: two by two factorial randomised controlled trial
Authors: Sofie Biering-Sørensen
Ane Bærent Fisker
Henrik Ravn
Luis Camala
Ivan Monteiro
Peter Aaby
Christine Stabell Benn
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2431-13-87

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

The effect of neonatal vitamin A supplementation on growth in the first year of life among low-birth-weight infants in Guinea-Bissau: two by two factorial randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Trial registration

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Trial registration

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