<b><i>Background/Aims:</i></b> Assessing the diet and biochemical indicators of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in high-risk populations is crucial in cases where this deficiency is mainly caused by chronically inadequate intake. This study aimed to determine the retinol and betacarotene status in mother-infant dyads, and to evaluate the associations between them. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Umbilical cord serum, maternal serum, and colostrum were collected from 134 healthy mothers living in a risk region for VAD. Vitamin A and betacarotene were quantified by liquid chromatography, and dietary information was collected using a food frequency questionnaire. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Although the overall mean intakes of vitamin A and betacarotene were considered adequate, 16% of the women had insufficient intake. Mean retinol levels were also adequate, yet low levels were diagnosed in about 8% of the mothers, based on maternal serum and colostrum, and in 16% of the cord serum samples. Retinol and betacarotene were positively associated in cord serum (<i>p</i> = 0.004), maternal serum (<i>p</i> = 0.041), and colostrum (<i>p</i> < 0.001) but was not associated with dietary intake. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> A diagnosis of adequacy based on mean biochemical and dietary data of this population in fact masks the marginal vitamin A status presented by mothers and children.