The NIH news release goes on to state that taking daily doses of between 8,000 and 10,000 International Units (I.U.) of Vitamin A during pregnancy does not appear to cause birth defects. The study also said it is very rare for women to take more than 10,000 I.U. of the vitamin each day. Because the study included women who did take large doses of Vitamin A, it is not possible to ascertain whether larges doses of Vitamin A could cause birth defects.

Although, this is study in the minority of the articles I read, it was interesting reading a study which appeared to show the recommended daily allowance for Vitamin A is not likely to cause any birth defects. One fact pointed out by the NIH News Alert was the drug Isotretinoin. Isotretinoin is a drug used to treat acne. It is chemically very similar to vitamin A and small quantities of this c

ompound are produced by the body after consumption of Vitamin A. Due to Isotretinoin being linked to causing birth defects, many researchers feared that Vitamin A might also cause birth defects.

The birth defect potential involving Vitamin A is well established in numerous reports and in experimental animals. Treatment of pregnant rodents with excessive does of Vitamin A results in greatly increased rates of fetal reabsorption and still births. The large does of Vitamin A given during the critical period of organogenesis results in abnormalities including absence of the brain, ocular abnormalities, cleft palate, extremity malformations, and labial fissures.

Finally, Vitamin A is an essential nutrient and, as with all nutrients, the good health of women throughout child-bearing years, including during pregnancy, is dependent on consuming needed amounts of this nutrient. No one knows for sure that healthy women with good eating habits need supplementation. Most prenatal formula vitamins will meet all your needs and not expose you or your baby to any risks. Make sure you read the label and discuss the a

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