Effect of multivitamin and vitamin A supplements on weight gain during pregnancy among HIV-1-infected women
Villamor, E.; Msamanga, G.; Spiegelman, D.; Antelman, G.; Peterson, K.E.; Hunter, D.J.; Fawzi, W.W.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 76(5): 1082-1090
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9165 PMID: 12399282 Document Number: 262122
Objective: We examined the effects of multivitamin and vitamin A supplements on weight gain during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy among HIV-infected women. Design: 1075 pregnant, HIV-1-positive women from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, were invited to participate in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial between April 1995 and July 1997. Using a 2-by-2 factorial design, we assigned each woman to 1 of 4 regimens: multivitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid and vitamins B6, B12, C and E), vitamin A, multivitamins including vitamin A or placebo. The women took these oral supplements daily and were weighed monthly until the end of pregnancy. Results: The mean rate of weight gain was 306 g/week during the second trimester and 247 g/week during the third trimester. During the third trimester, average weight gain was significantly greater (by 304 g; 95% CI: 17-590; P=0.04) and the risk of low rate of weight gain (<=100 g/week) was significantly lower (relative risk, 0.73; 95% CI: 0.58-0.93) in women who received multivitamins than in women who did not. Multivitamins including vitamin A were protective against low weight gain during the second trimester compared with multivitamins alone. Conclusion: Multivitamin supplementation during pregnancy improves the pattern of weight gain among HIV-infected women.