Global prevalence of vitamin A deficiency

Scientifi c and policy-making groups have issued somewhat confl icting statements about the benefi ts of postpartum vitamin A supplementation programs over the past few years (de Benoist et al, 2001; IVACG, 2002; Ross, 2002; Sommer, 2005). Th is has led some public health professionals to question the value of providing vitamin A supplements to women immediately after delivery as a strategy for improving maternal and child health.