Concentrations of ascorbic acid in the plasma of pregnant smokers and nonsmokers and their newborns.
A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the differences in vitamin C status of Brazilian pregnant women smokers and nonsmokers and their respective newborn babies, and to assess the prevalence of hypovitaminosis C among these two groups of women. The study involved 127 pregnant women, 40 pregnant smokers and 87 pregnant nonsmokers, admitted to a maternity hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. Data concerning the pregnant women's socioeconomic, demographic, obstetric, and nutritional characteristics were collected, as well as data concerning the newborns' anthropometry and Apgar scores. A strongly significant correlation (p < 0.001) was found between the concentrations of ascorbic acid (AA) in both pregnant smokers (r = 0.77) and pregnant nonsmokers (r = 0.61) and their respective umbilical cords. The mean umbilical AA concentration was significantly higher than the meanAA concentration in pregnant women (92.05 +/- 41.13 vs. 33.39 +/- 18.25 micromol/L, p < 0.001). It was observed that the mean AA was significantly lower for the newborns (p = 0.03) and pregnant women (p = 0.02) from the smoking group. Forty percent (40%) of the smokers and 27% of the nonsmokers presented hypovitaminosis C. We suggest an increase in the consumption of fruits and vegetables by pregnant women, especially the smokers.
Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715 -CEP: 01246-904, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. andmo@usp.br
Andréia
A
Madruga de Oliveira
Patricia Helen de Carvalho
PH
Rondó
Silvia Berlanga de Moraes
SB
Barros
D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D001206:Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011247:Pregnancy; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014675:Vegetables
D001205:Ascorbic Acid