Retinol and carotenoid levels were determined spectrophotometrically in the blood of 222 mothers at delivery and in the umbilical cord of the newborns. We observed an important prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) among mothers and newborns (25.4% and 46.2%, respectively) as well as carotenoid inadequacy (52.3% and 92.6% in mothers and newborns, respectively), and an increased risk of VAD development among newborns whose mothers had VAD (odds ratio = 4.79). We found an increased risk of carotenoid inadequacy when VAD was already present in both groups (odds ratio = 2.21 and odds ratio = 6.85 in mothers and newborns, respectively). There were relationships between previous abortion and maternal VAD (P=0.022) and lower carotenoid levels among newborns (P=0.019), as well as inadequate maternal serum carotenoid levels and interdelivery interval less than 18 months. These findings suggest the need for interventional actions to prevent retinol and carotenoid inadequacy, and low antioxidant reserves.