title: Premarital screening of 466 Mediterranean women for serum ferritin, vitamin B12, and folate concentrations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Iron, folate, and vitamin B12 serum levels are closely related with dietary habits and have an essential role in the healthy development of a fetus. We aimed to investigate hemoglobin, ferritin, folate, and vitamin B12 levels in preconceptional women in an area where a plant-based diet referred to as Mediterranean cuisine is commonly used.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population included 466 women between the ages of 18 and 45 years admitted for thalassemia screening. Sociodemographic variables and history of menometrorrhagia, pica, and dietary habits were collected. Serum vitamin B12, folate, ferritin, and hemoglobin levels were measured. Ferritin of <12µg/L, vitamin B12 of <200 pg/mL, and folate of <4 ng/mL were accepted as deficiencies. Hemoglobin level of <12 g/dL was classified as anemia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Polymenorrhea was present in 11.7% and hypermenorrhea in 24.8% of women. Anemia was detected in 24.9% and thalassemia trait in 3.0% of women. Low ferritin levels were observed in 46.1%, vitamin B12 in 21.6%, and folate in 3.4% of women. In the group with low vitamin B12, decreased meat consumption was more prevalent (27.5% vs. 16.9%; P = 0.019).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vitamin B12 and iron are the main micronutrients depleted in our community. This necessitates implementing a public health program for women consuming a Mediterranean diet.
authors.forename: Aysun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karabulut
authors.forename: Ömer Tolga
authors.initials: ÖT
authors.lastname: Güler
authors.forename: Hatice Tuba
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Karahan
authors.forename: Sevgi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Özkan
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koyuncu
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Demirciler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003710:Demography; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean / Q000009:adverse effects; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D016742:Preconception Care / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood*; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D005293:Ferritins; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12