ABSTRACT

For the characterization of the body status of vitamin A (the term vitamin A or retinoids are used in general aspects, otherwise the exact terms of the specic retinoids are used) by tools of laboratory medicine, the preferred samples are whole blood, serum, and plasma. Breast milk is another sample type that can be used in the case of solving specic problems, especially concerning the maternal vitamin supply and the supply of the neonates. The use of tissue samples, such as biopsies, for the analysis of vitamin A status is also possible.