Application of the modified relative dose response test to pregnant Indonesian women for assessing vitamin A status
Tanumihardjo, S.A.; Suharno, D.; Permaesih, D.; Muherdiyantiningsih; Dahro, A.M.; Muhilal; Karyadi, D.; Olson, J.A.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 49(12): 897-903
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0954-3007 PMID: 8925791 Document Number: 453877
Objective: To determine the prevalence of subclinical vitamin A deficiency (vitamin A inadequacy) in Indonesian pregnant women as assessed by the modified relative dose response test. Design: Cross-sectional study of the vitamin A statuses of pregnant (second trimester) women randomly selected from ten different villages. Setting: West Java, Indonesia. Subjects: A group of 144 pregnant women recruited from the local health posts. Interventions: Modified relative dose response (MRDR) test, serum retinol determination and gynecological examinations. Results: The mean (s.d.) MRDR ratio was 0.039 +- 0.031. Of the women tested, the vitamin A status of 17% was provisionally classified as being marginal (subclinically deficient) (MRDR ratio gt 0.060), of 35% as being uncertain (MRDR ratio between 0.030 and 0.060) and of 48% as being satisfactory (MRDR ratio ltoreq 0.030). Conclusion: If the vitamin A statuses of the 'uncertain' group are also deemed to be unsatisfactory, approximately half of the pregnant Indonesian women tested could benefit from an increased intake of vitamin A.