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Efficacy of Biofortified Maize to Improve Maternal and Infant Vitamin A Status

Phase 3
Completed
Conditions
Vitamin A Deficiency
Registration Number
NCT02804490
Lead Sponsor
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Brief Summary

The purpose of this randomized control trial is to test the impact of provitamin A carotenoid biofortified maize meal consumption on maternal and infant vitamin A status.

Detailed Description

Vitamin A deficiency remains a major public health problem in low and middle income countries. Approximately 50% of Zambian children are thought to be affected. This randomized control trial will test the efficacy of provitamin A carotenoid biofortified maize meal consumption as a strategy to improve vitamin A status among lactating Zambian mothers and their infants. The investigators will enroll up to 255 mother/infant pairs to a three-month study, during which they will receive one of the following three interventions: 1) conventional white maize, 2) provitamin A carotenoid biofortified orange maize, or 3) preformed vitamin A fortified white maize.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
255
Inclusion Criteria
  • Singleton birth
  • No birth defects
  • Free from chronic health conditions
  • Infant received 100,000 IU vitamin A at 6 months of age
  • Currently breastfeeding
  • Not pregnant at 9 months post partum
  • Hemoglobin > 8.0 g/dL for women and > 7.0 g/dL for infants
Exclusion Criteria
  • Multiple birth
  • Birth defects
  • Any chronic health condition requiring regular medical visits
  • Infant did not receive vitamin A capsule at 6 months of age
  • No longer breastfeeding
  • Pregnant
  • Hemoglobin ≤ 8.0 g/dL for women or ≤ 7.0 g/dL for infants

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Infant vitamin A stores90 days

Total body vitamin A stores of infants measured by retinol isotope dilution

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Maternal breast milk retinol90 days

Breast milk retinol concentrations of women measured by high performance liquid chromatography

Maternal plasma retinol90 days

Plasma retinol concentrations of women measured by high performance liquid chromatography

Maternal dark adaptation90 days

Pupillary responsiveness of women measured by portable field dark adaptometer

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

JHU Office

🇿🇲

Mkushi, Central Province, Zambia

JHU Office
🇿🇲Mkushi, Central Province, Zambia

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