Short-term beta-carotene supplementation of lactating mothers consuming diets low in vitamin A

We have previously shown that beta-carotene supplementation of the diets of healthy U.S. mothers increases serum and milk beta-carotene concentrations. Building on these results, we investigated the possibility that beta-carotene supplementation could enhance the vitamin A status of mothers and their nursing infants. Three 30-mg doses of beta-carotene were administered on 3 consecutive days to 44 lactating mothers who had vitamin-A-poor diets. Concentrations of maternal serum and milk carotenoids and retinol were evaluated at baseline and after 2 and 3 days of supplementation. Infant serum carotenoids and retinol were measured at baseline and 2 days following maternal supplementation. beta-Carotene supplementation markedly elevated maternal serum and milk beta-carotene concentrations (nine- and sevenfold, respectively) and resulted in smaller, transient increases of alpha-carotene, lycopene, and beta-cryptoxanthin concentrations in maternal serum. Maternal serum and milk retinol were unchanged in response to the treatment. In contrast, maternal beta-carotene supplementation significantly increased infant serum retinol (P