title: Maternal B vitamin status in pregnancy week 18 according to reported use of folic acid supplements.
abstract: METHODS
  Epidemiological studies on the association between pregnancy outcomes and use of periconceptional folic acid are often based on maternal reported intake. Use of folic acid during pregnancy is associated with a higher socioeconomic status known to have an impact on diet quality. We have studied plasma B vitamin status according to reported use of folic acid supplements during the periconceptional period in Norwegian women.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma levels of folate, cobalamin, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (vitamin B6), riboflavin, and the metabolic markers total homocysteine, methylmalonic acid and 3-hydro-xykynurenine were measured in pregnancy week 18 and related to reported intake of folic acid from 4 weeks prior to conception throughout week 18 in 2911 women from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) conducted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Being a folic acid user during the periconceptional period was associated with a better socioeconomic status, and a higher intake of several micronutrients, including vitamins, trace-metals, and omega 3 fatty acids. Folic acid users had a significantly better plasma B vitamin status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Epidemiological data based on maternal reported intake of folic acid supplements during pregnancy, should take into account the numerous nutritional implications, in addition to higher blood folate levels, of being a folic acid user.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. almo@helse-bergen.no
authors.forename: Anne Lise
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Bjørke-Monsen
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Magnus
authors.forename: Øivind
authors.initials: Ø
authors.lastname: Midttun
authors.forename: Roy M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Nilsen
authors.forename: Ted
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Reichborn-Kjennerud
authors.forename: Camilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stoltenberg
authors.forename: Ezra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Susser
authors.forename: Stein Emil
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Vollset
authors.forename: Per Magne
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Ueland
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D008764:Methylmalonic Acid / Q000097:blood; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009664:Norway; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000097:blood; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood; D025101:Vitamin B 6 / Q000097:blood; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D018977:Micronutrients; D006710:Homocysteine; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D025101:Vitamin B 6; D008764:Methylmalonic Acid; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12; D012256:Riboflavin