This study evaluated the prevalence of gestational nightblindness among
postpartum women seen at the University Maternal Hospital of the
Federal University in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and the association of
this symptom with a biochemical indicator (serum retinol levels) and
sociodemographic, anthropometric and antenatal care variables. In
total, 262 postpartum women, who did not receive vitamin A
supplementation during pregnancy, were interviewed. Gestational
nightblindness was diagnosed through the standardized interview as
proposed by WHO. Serum retinol levels were evaluated by
spectrophotometry. Gestational nightblindness relating to low levels of
serum retinol (<1.05 μmol/L, p=0.000) was diagnosed in 17.9% of
subjects interviewed. Less than five antenatal care appointments (odds
ratio [OR]=2.179; confidence interval [CI] 95%=1.078-4.402) and a
history of one or more miscarriage(s) (OR=2.306; CI 95%=1.185-4.491)
were predictors for gestational nightblindness. These findings justify
the need for nutritional counselling, aimed at improving the vitamin A
nutritional status, especially among pregnant women with a history of
previous miscarriages and poor antenatal care