Erythrocyte folate, plasma folate and plasma homocysteine during normal pregnancy and postpartum: a longitudinal study comprising 404 Danish women.
OBJECTIVE
To assess folate and homocysteine status during normal pregnancy and postpartum in a longitudinal setting.


METHODS
This study, performed in 1995-1996, comprised 404 healthy pregnant Danish Caucasian women residential in Copenhagen County. Women taking folic acid tablets or vitamin B12 injections were not included. Dietary multivitamin supplements containing folic acid 100 microg or vitamin B12 1 microg, taken by 34%, were discontinued at inclusion. Participants had normal renal function. Folate status [erythrocyte (Ery-) folate, plasma (P-) folate, P-homocysteine] was measured at 18, 32 and 39 wk of gestation and 8 wk postpartum when the women were lactating.


RESULTS
Through 18, 32 and 39 wk of gestation and postpartum, P-folate demonstrated a significant fall: median values were 14.4, 10.2, 9.3 and 8.9 nmol/L, respectively (P < 0.0001). The prevalence of low P-folate <6 nmol/L increased during pregnancy from 0.7% to 19.0% postpartum (P < 0.0001). Ery-folate displayed a similar, significant fall: median value was 0.84, 0.75, 0.65 and 0.55 micromol/L, respectively (P < 0.0001). The prevalence of low Ery-folate <0.40 micromol/L increased during pregnancy from 0.5% to 17.2% postpartum (P < 0.0001). P-homocysteine demonstrated a significant increase: median value was 6.4, 7.0, 7.7 and 10.8 micromol/L, respectively (P < 0.0001). The prevalence of P-homocysteine >13 micromol/L increased during pregnancy from 0.7% to 20.8% postpartum (P < 0.0001). The prevalence of low folate status (defined as P-folate <6 nmol/L and P-homocysteine >13 micromol/L) was 0%, 0%, 1.2%, and 8.4% at 18, 32 and 39 wk of gestation and 8 wk postpartum, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Low folate status occurs among Danish pregnant women, especially in late pregnancy and postpartum during lactation. Despite new guidelines for folic acid supplement since 1997, only 13% of pregnant women followed the guidelines in 2003. The official recommendations for periconceptional folic acid supplement should be reconsidered and reinforced.
Milman
Nils
N
Department of Obstetrics, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. milman@rh.dk
Byg
Keld-Erik
KE
Hvas
Anne-Mette
AM
Bergholt
Thomas
T
Eriksen
Lisbeth
L
D000328:Adult; D003718:Denmark; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D005865:Gestational Age; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation / Q000097:blood; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*
D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid