Abstract
It has been clearly demonstrated that in endemic areas, improving the vitamin A status of children aged six months to five years can substantially reduce their risk of mortality and severe morbidity. This paper reviews the potential benefits of improving vitamin A status during the first six months of life by either supplementing the infant or indirectly by supplementing the mother, in order to increase the vitamin A content of her breastmilk. This focus is important, since a large proportion of childhood deaths occur before six months of age. Also, whether or not supplementation has a direct benefit during the first six months of life, it could have an indirect benefit later in life if it ensures that the infant enters the second six months of life with improved vitamin A status. It might thus lead to a reduced risk of mortality in later childhood. in particular, this review evaluates the evidence concerning the health benefits.