@article{fdi:010052859,
  title = {{M}aternal micronutrient supplementation with zinc and beta-carotene affects morbidity and immune function of infants during the first 6 months of life},
  author = {{W}ieringa, {F}ranck and {D}ijkhuizen, {M}. {A}. and {M}uhilal, and {V}an der {M}eer, {J}. {W}. {M}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{B}ackground/{O}bjectives: {M}icronutrient deficiencies are prevalent worldwide, and a major cause of infant death. {S}upplementation with multiple micronutrients during pregnancy might improve micronutrient status of the newborn, thereby reducing morbidity and death. {M}oreover, maternal supplementation might affect the newborn's immune development. {T}herefore, this study investigated the effects of maternal zinc and beta-carotene supplementation on the infant's morbidity and immune function during the first 6 months of life. {S}ubjects/{M}ethods: {M}others were supplemented during pregnancy with beta-carotene and/or zinc, in addition to iron and folic acid, in a randomized, double-blind controlled trial. {N}ewborn infants (n = 136) were followed up for 6 months. {R}esults: {I}nfants born from mothers receiving zinc during pregnancy had significantly fewer episodes of diarrhoea than infants born from mothers not receiving zinc (0.2 and 0.4, respectively), but more episodes of cough (1.3 and 0.9 respectively) during the first 6 months. {M}aternal beta-carotene supplementation had no effect on infants' morbidity. {C}ytokine production in the newborns was affected by maternal zinc and beta-carotene supplementation, with zinc supplementation giving higher interleukin-6 production (16% higher), and beta-carotene supplementation leading to lower interferon-g production (36% lower). {C}onclusions: {T}his study shows that maternal supplementation with zinc and beta-carotene affected the newborn's immune development in specific ways, but only maternal zinc supplementation significantly affected morbidity in the infants. {A}ddition of zinc to routine iron and folic acid supplements for pregnant women could be an effective way to reduce diarrhoeal disease during the first 6 months of life, albeit at the expense of more episodes of cough. {E}uropean {J}ournal of {C}linical {N}utrition (2010) 64, 1072-1079; doi:10.1038/ejcn.2010.115; published online 4 {A}ugust 2010},
  keywords = {infant ; vitamin {A} ; deficiency ; zinc ; pregnancy ; cytokine},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{E}uropean {J}ournal of {C}linical {N}utrition},
  volume = {64},
  numero = {10},
  pages = {1072--1079},
  ISSN = {0954-3007},
  year = {2010},
  DOI = {10.1038/ejcn.2010.115},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010052859},
}