Vitamin supplementation increases risk of subclinical mastitis in HIV-infected women

J Nutr. 2010 Oct;140(10):1788-92. doi: 10.3945/jn.110.122713. Epub 2010 Aug 25.

Abstract

Subclinical mastitis is common in HIV-infected women and is a risk factor for mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of vitamin supplementation [vitamin A + β-carotene, multivitamins (B complex, C, and E), or multivitamins, including vitamin A + β-carotene] on the risk of subclinical mastitis during the first 2 y postpartum among HIV-infected women. The study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial including 674 HIV-infected, antiretroviral naïve Tanzanian women who were recruited during pregnancy and followed-up after delivery. Breast milk samples were obtained approximately every 3 mo. Any subclinical mastitis was defined as a ratio of the sodium to potassium (Na:K) breast milk concentrations > 0.6 and further classified as either moderate (Na:K ≥ 0.6 and ≤ 1) or severe (Na:K > 1.0). Fifty-eight percent of women had at least 1 episode of any subclinical mastitis. Women assigned to multivitamins (B complex, C, and E) had a 33% greater risk of any subclinical mastitis (P = 0.005) and a 75% greater risk of severe subclinical mastitis (P = 0.0006) than women who received the placebo. Vitamin A + β-carotene also increased the risk of severe subclinical mastitis by 45% (P = 0.03). Among women with CD4+ T-cell counts ≥ 350 cells/μL, multivitamin intake resulted in a 49% increased risk of any subclinical mastitis (P = 0.006); by contrast, there were no treatment effects among women with CD4+ T-cell counts < 350 cells/μL (P- interaction for treatment × CD4+ T-cell count = 0.10). Supplementation of HIV-infected women with vitamins increased the risk of subclinical mastitis.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • Dietary Supplements / adverse effects
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • Humans
  • Mastitis / diagnosis
  • Mastitis / etiology*
  • Milk, Human / chemistry
  • Placebos
  • Postpartum Period
  • Potassium / analysis
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / virology
  • Risk Factors
  • Sodium / analysis
  • Tanzania
  • Vitamin A / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin A / adverse effects
  • Vitamins / administration & dosage*
  • Vitamins / adverse effects*
  • beta Carotene / administration & dosage
  • beta Carotene / adverse effects

Substances

  • Placebos
  • Vitamins
  • beta Carotene
  • Vitamin A
  • Sodium
  • Potassium