The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development released a news article in July, 1997, stating a moderate dose of Vitamin A does not pose risk of birth defects. This statement is contrary to what many researchers had believed.
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 compound 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.
Most of the articles agree, anything more than 10,000 I.U. of Vitamin A per day may be dangerous to the fetus. So common sense, says do not take more than 10,000 I.U. of Vitamin A daily. If you are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or possibly even in the childbearing years, check your multivitamin bottle to be sure the tablets contain the recommended daily dose of Vitamin A. Avoid large servings of food which contains a high level of Vitamin A, such as liver and vitamin enriched cereals.
Another alternative pregnant women could use is taking beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is not linked to any cause of birth defects.
