Biochemical assessment of nutritional status in pre- and post-natal Turkish women and outcome of pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine by biochemical methods the nutritional status of pre- and post-natal Turkish women and its relationship with offspring anthropometry.


METHODS
Longitudinal study.


METHODS
Health centres in Istanbul and Izmit, research department and university hospital laboratories.


METHODS
Randomly selected group of women attending health centres at 13-17 weeks gestation (n = 130); same sample of women at 28-32 weeks gestation (n = 88) and 13-17 weeks post-partum (n = 95); offspring at 13-17 weeks post-partum (n = 90).


METHODS
Blood samples taken from mothers at all three stages and analysed for ferritin, iron, zinc, calcium, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin, vitamins B2, B6, B12, A, E, beta-carotene and folate levels; questionnaire completed for recording medical and socio-demographic background. Anthropometric measurements taken from mothers and offspring.


RESULTS
High percentages of subjects were at risk for deficiencies of vitamin B12 (48.8%) and folate (59.7%) in early pregnancy; ferritin (52.3%), zinc (72.3%), vitamin B2 (38.8%), vitamin B12 (80.9%), and folate (76.4%) during late pregnancy; and ferritin (39.0%), vitamins B2 (43.1%), B6 (36.4%), B12 (60.0%), and folate (73.3%) at the post-partum stage. Bone loss was indicated in 55.0% and 80.0% of the subjects in late pregnancy and post-partum respectively. Haematocrit in later pregnancy correlated strongly with prenatal body fat (P < 0.001). Infant anthropometry at 13-17 weeks post-partum was significantly affected by pre-natal weight gain and a number of maternal blood nutrients in pregnancy and post-partum.


CONCLUSIONS
Nutrition education programmes and enrichment of the staple food with iron, zinc, calcium, and the B vitamins should be considered.
Açkurt
F
F
Department of Food and Refrigeration Technology, TUBITAK Marmara Research Centre, Gebze, Kocaeli.
Wetherilt
H
H
Löker
M
M
Hacibekiroğlu
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008903:Minerals / Q000097:blood; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D014815:Vitamins / Q000097:blood
D001798:Blood Proteins; D008903:Minerals; D014815:Vitamins