Home → Research Centres → Cceb → Research → Infections

Impact evaluation of vitamin A and zinc supplementation on maternal and neonatal infections and prematurity

Dr Mohamad Hakimi and Dr Achmad Suryono (Community Health and Nutrition Research Laboratories, University of Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta), Dr Michael Dibley

This is an individually randomised, placebo-controlled, double-masked trial. The intervention is either a daily dose of Vitamin A of 2,400 RE or 20 mg of zinc, or both vitamin A and zinc or placebo given to the mother starting no later than the beginning of the second trimester until delivery. The main project aims to assess the efficacy of low dose Vitamin A and zinc supplementation during pregnancy to prevent puerperal and neonatal sepsis and to describe its effects on foetal growth and the duration of pregnancy. Secondary aims are to describe changes in maternal zinc and Vitamin A status during pregnancy and to examine the relationship between zinc and Vitamin A status after delivery with the levels during pregnancy.