High frequency of maternal vitamin B12 deficiency as an important cause of infantile vitamin B12 deficiency in Sanliurfa province of Turkey

Summary Background Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency in infancy may cause failure to thrive, severe neurological disorders and megaloblastic pancytopenia. It is well known that infants born with deficient vitamin B₁₂ storage have increased the risk of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency. Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency is more prevalent in infancy in Sanliurfa province (at the southeast region of Turkey). Aim of the study The aim of this study was to determine the frequencies of vitamin B₁₂, folic acid and iron deficiencies in pregnants and their babies at birth and to what extend the mothers’ deficiency becomes effective on babies’ deficiencies. Methods The study groups were constituted by 180 pregnant women and their single and term babies. Venous blood samples of pregnants were obtained 1–3 h before delivery and babies’ cord bloods were collected at birth. Vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid levels were measured with electro chemiluminiscence method; serum iron and iron binding capacities were measured by colorimetric method and complete blood counts were performed by automatic blood counter. Results Mean vitamin B₁₂ levels in maternal and cord blood serum were 130 ± 61.7 pg/ml and 207 ± 141 pg/ml; mean folic acid levels were 8.91 ± 6.46 ng/ml and 17.8 ± 11.8 ng/ml; mean serum iron levels were 56.9 ± 37.5 μg/dl and 147 ± 43.2 μg/dl; and mean transferrin saturations were 11.8 ± 8% and 65.6 ± 24%, respectively. There were vitamin B₁₂ deficiency (<160 pg/ml) in 72% of the mothers and 41% of the babies, and severe deficiency (<120 pg/ml) in 48% of the mothers and 23% of the babies. Folic acid deficiency was found in 12% of the mothers, but was not found in the babies. There were iron deficiency in 62% of the mothers and 1% of the babies. There were statistically significant correlation between maternal and cord blood serum vitamin B₁₂ levels (r = 0.395, P < 0.001) and folic acid levels (r = 0.227, P = 0.017), while there were no correlation between maternal and cord blood iron levels and transferrin saturations. Conclusion The study results showed that vitamin B₁₂ deficiency is prevalent in pregnants in this region and that 41% of infants have born with deficient vitamin B₁₂ storages. Therefore, prophylactic use of vitamin B₁₂ by pregnant women in Sanliurfa and other poor communities could have considerable benefits to prevent vitamin B₁₂ deficiency and its complications in infants.     

Modifications of hemato-biological parameters in pregnant women in a migrating population in northern Cameroon: prevalence of anemia, iron and folates deficiencies

The wholesale displacement of a population can have nutritional consequences for the migrants. With this in mind, the prevalences of anemia and of iron and folic acid deficiencies were studied in a group of 90 pregnant women living in northeast Benoue, an area situated in northern Cameroon where a development project was initiated in 1973. This project aimed at moving a population from the extreme northern highlands to the fertile valley of the Benoue. The following hemato-biological parameters were measured: hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, plasma iron, transferrin saturation, serum concentrations of folates, prealbumin, transferrin, protides and their fractions. The investigation showed that anemia, as well as iron and folic acid deficiencies, were rare when using World Health Organization criteria. The anemia prevalence, judged on a hemoglobin level of less than 11 g per 100 ml, is 8%, iron deficiency prevalence is 10% (plasma iron level below 50 micrograms per 100 ml), and folic acid deficiency prevalence is 3% (serum folic acid level below 3 ng per ml). However, 40% of the pregnant women had a level of transferrin saturation below 15%. In non deficient subjects, we observed a decrease between the first and second trimesters of pregnancy in hemato-biological parameters linked to anemia or to nutritional status (hemoglobin, hematocrit, plasma iron, transferrin saturation, prealbumin). The nutritional conditions in the area appeared sufficient to prevent deficiencies which are frequently observed in pregnant women in Africa.     

海南黎族孕妇α-地中海贫血及机体铁蛋白、维生素B_(12)和叶酸水平分析

目的:调查海南黎族孕妇α-地中海贫血基因携带率、基因类型以及机体铁蛋白、维生素B12和叶酸水平。方法:收集海南保亭、琼中、五指山、陵水4个地区黎族孕妇EDTA-K2抗凝全血及血清标本共239例,全自动血细胞分析仪检测红细胞相关参数,化学发光免疫分析仪检测血清铁蛋白、维生素B12和叶酸含量,同时用GAP-PCR法检测α-地贫3种常见基因缺失型。结果:海南黎族孕妇α-地贫基因携带率为63.18%,保亭、琼中、五指山和陵水地区分别为63.26%、46.97%、61.36%和77.50%,以静止型和标准型为主;铁蛋白缺乏率为54.81%,保亭、琼中、五指山和陵水地区分别为46.94%、54.55%、54.55%和60.00%,其中合并α-地贫和缺铁占35.56%;维生素B12缺乏者占0.84%,叶酸缺乏者占0.42%,合并维生素B12和叶酸缺乏占0.42%。黎族孕妇贫血发生率32.22%,所有标本中小细胞低色素性贫血104例占43.51%,其中单纯α-地贫31例占29.80%;单纯铁缺乏14例占13.46%,同时合并地贫和缺铁51例占49.04%,其他8例占7.69%。血象正常者中的α-地贫95.65%为静止型。结论:海南黎族孕妇α-地中海贫血和缺铁情况较严重,而叶酸和维生素B12无明显缺乏。需要加强黎族孕妇α-地中海贫血和缺铁防治,血象检查可作为有效的筛查手段。     

Anemia and deficiencies of folate and vitamin B-6 are common and vary with season in Chinese women of childbearing age

Little is known about the micronutrient status of Chinese women of childbearing age. We assessed nonfasting plasma concentrations of folic acid, vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6 (as pyridoxal-5'-phosphate), hemoglobin (Hb), ferritin and transferrin receptor (TfR) in 563 nonpregnant textile workers aged 21-34 y from Anqing, China. All women had obtained permission to become pregnant and were participating in a prospective study of pregnancy outcomes. Mean (SD) plasma concentrations were 9.7 (4.1) nmol/L folic acid, 367 (128) pmol/L vitamin B-12, 40.2 (15.8) nmol/L vitamin B-6, 108 (12. 9) g/L Hb, 42.6 (34.2) microgram/L ferritin and 5.2 (2.7) mg/L TfR. Twenty-three percent of women had biochemical evidence of folic acid deficiency, 26% were deficient in vitamin B-6 and 10% had low vitamin B-12. Overall, 44% of women were deficient in at least one B vitamin. Although anemia (Hb < 120 g/L) was detected in 80% of women, only 17% had depleted iron stores (ferritin < 12 microgram/L); 11% had elevated TfR concentrations. Distinct seasonal trends were observed in the prevalence of moderate anemia (Hb < 100 g/L) and deficiencies of folic acid and vitamin B-6, with significantly lower concentrations of folate and Hb occurring in summer and lower concentrations of vitamin B-6 occurring in winter and spring than in other seasons. We conclude that deficiencies of folic acid, vitamin B-6 and iron were relatively common in this sample of Chinese women of childbearing age and were contributing to the high prevalence of anemia. Without appropriate supplementation, these deficiencies could jeopardize the women's health and increase their risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.     

Concomitant supplemental vitamin A enhances the response to weekly supplemental iron and folic acid in anemic teenagers in urban Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency and affects >2 billion persons worldwide, leading to anemia in >40% of women of reproductive age in the developing world. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine whether weekly supplementation with iron and folate would reduce the frequency of anemia in teenage women in urban Bangladesh before they became pregnant. DESIGN: Participants with a hemoglobin concentration of 80-120 g/L were entered into a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial and received supplements of placebo, vitamin A, iron + folic acid, or iron + folic acid + vitamin A weekly for 12 wk. The supplements contained 2.42 mg vitamin A (retinol) as retinyl palmitate, 120 mg elemental Fe as ferrous sulfate, and 3.5 mg folic acid. RESULTS: Hemoglobin concentrations increased significantly more after supplementation with iron + folic acid or iron + folic acid + vitamin A than after either the placebo or vitamin A alone. There was a significantly greater increase in hemoglobin after iron + folic acid + vitamin A than after iron + folic acid, but the additional effect disappeared after adjustment for baseline hemoglobin, serum vitamin A, and ferritin and the number of supplements taken. Those with the lowest baseline hemoglobin had the greatest increase in hemoglobin. Compared with the placebo, iron + folic acid + vitamin A reduced anemia by 92%, iron deficiency by 90%, and vitamin A deficiency by 76%. CONCLUSION: There may be significant health benefits from a program that enhances the nutritional status of iron, folate, and vitamin A in poor urban young women before they become pregnant.     

Folate and vitamin B12: friendly or enemy nutrients for the elderly

In the UK vitamin B12 deficiency occurs in approximately 20% of adults aged >65 years. This incidence is significantly higher than that among the general population. The reported incidence invariably depends on the criteria of deficiency used, and in fact estimates rise to 24% and 46% among free-living and institutionalised elderly respectively when methylmalonic acid is used as a marker of vitamin B12 status. The incidence of, and the criteria for diagnosis of, deficiency have drawn much attention recently in the wake of the implementation of folic acid fortification of flour in the USA. This fortification strategy has proved to be extremely successful in increasing folic acid intakes pre-conceptually and thereby reducing the incidence of neural-tube defects among babies born in the USA since 1998. However, in successfully delivering additional folic acid to pregnant women fortification also increases the consumption of folic acid of everyone who consumes products containing flour, including the elderly. It is argued that consuming additional folic acid (as 'synthetic' pteroylglutamic acid) from fortified foods increases the risk of 'masking' megaloblastic anaemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. Thus, a number of issues arise for discussion. Are clinicians forced to rely on megaloblastic anaemia as the only sign of possible vitamin B12 deficiency? Is serum vitamin B12 alone adequate to confirm vitamin B12 deficiency or should other diagnostic markers be used routinely in clinical practice? Is the level of intake of folic acid among the elderly (post-fortification) likely to be so high as to cure or 'mask' the anaemia associated with vitamin B12 deficiency?     

Prevalence of micronutrient deficiency particularly of iron, zinc and folic acid in pregnant women in South East Asia

Micronutrient deficiency, whether clinical or subclinical, may affect growth, cognition and reproductive performance. In pregnant women moderate to severe deficiencies of iron, zinc and folic acid have been shown to increase risk of low birth weight, pregnancy complications and birth defects. Any attempt to introduce a micronutrient supplementation programme during pregnancy must be based on adequate data on the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies, their adverse effects and the potential for reversing these through supplementation. This paper reviews parameters for assessment of iron, zinc and folic acid deficiencies in pregnancy and the available data on prevalence of these in pregnant women in South Asia. Iron deficiency and anemia affect 50 % or more of pregnant women, the prevalence of folic acid deficiency may be up to 30-50 % and there is evidence to suggest that zinc deficiency is likely to be widespread but supportive data are scarce.     

The coexistence of other micronutrient deficiencies in anaemic adolescent schoolgirls in rural Bangladesh

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of selected micronutrient deficiencies amongst anaemic adolescent schoolgirls in rural Bangladesh and to examine their relationship with haemoglobin (Hb) levels. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Girls' high schools in rural areas of Dhaka District in Bangladesh. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Three hundred and ten anaemic adolescent girls aged 14-18 years from eight schools participated in the study. Information on personal characteristics and food habits were collected by interview. Parents were asked about their socio-economic conditions. Anthropometric data and blood samples were collected following the interview. RESULTS: Twenty-eight per cent of the girls had depleted iron stores (serum ferritin <12.0 microg/l), 25% had folic acid deficiency (red blood cell folic acid <317 nmol/l), 89% had vitamin B(2) (erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient > or =1.4) and 7% had vitamin B(12) deficiencies (serum vitamin B(12) <150 pmol/l). Although the prevalence of vitamins A and C deficiency was very low, a significant proportion had low vitamin A (serum retinol between 0.70 and <1.05 micromol/l) and vitamin C status (plasma ascorbic acid between 11.4-23.0 micromol/l). Frequency of consumption of meat, serum ferritin and vitamin B(2) status were found to be strongly related to Hb by multiple regression analysis. For 1 microg/l change in serum ferritin, there was a 0.13 g/l change in Hb when adjusted for other factors. CONCLUSIONS: There is coexistence of micronutrient deficiencies among anaemic adolescent girls in rural Bangladesh, although they do not suffer from energy deficiency. Of all micronutrients, only iron and vitamin B(2) concentrations were found to be related to the Hb concentration.     

The multiple vitamin status of Chinese pregnant women with anemia and nonanemia in the last trimester

Iron-deficiency or anemia in pregnancy is a major public health problem in China. This cross-sectional study was carried out to observe the association between iron status and multiple vitamin levels of Chinese pregnant women in the third trimester. We measured iron, ascorbic acid, retinol, folate and vitamin B12 in serum, and riboflavin in urine specimens of 1,163 pregnant women in four sites throughout rural and city areas in China. Based on hemoglobin concentrations (Hb), the subjects were divided into an anemia group with Hb < 110 g/L or Hb < or = 100 g/L as severe anemia group, and nonanemia group with Hb > or = 110 g/L. Results showed that 41.58% of the population with serum iron < 700 microg/L and 51.04% of the population with ferritin < 12 microg/L in the anemia group, percentages that were much higher than those in the nonanemia group. Relationships between five vitamins and hemoglobin concentrations of all subjects were observed. There was a lower level of serum ascorbic acid (291.05 microg/dL) in the Hb < or = 100 g/L group than in the Hb > or = 120 g/L group (487.79 microg/dL) (p < 0.001). Serum levels of vitamin B12 and folate were 445.67 pg/mL and 5.94 ng/mL in the Hb < or = 100 g/L group, whose levels were much lower than the levels of 502.01 pg/mL (p < 0.012) and 8.07 ng/mL (p < 0.010) respectively in the Hb > or = 120 g/L group. Further, cross-sectional analysis showed positive correlations between abnormal hematological results and prevalences of vitamin deficiencies. The subjects with iron-deficiency anemia had much higher rates of vitamin C, folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies than those in the nonanemic subjects, and especially in the deficient rates of ascorbic acid and folate in the anemia (Hb < 110 g/L) group, which reached 64.04% and 22.70% respectively. Moreover, we observed that the decreasing trends of hemoglobin concentrations were accompanied by the decreases of serum levels of vitamin A, ascorbic acid, folate and vitamin B12. In conclusion, multiple vitamin deficiencies, especially ascorbic acid, retinol and folic acid, may be associated with anemia or iron deficiency in pregnant women in the last trimester. The study suggested that anemic pregnant women in China should be supplemented with iron and multiple vitamins simultaneously.     

妊娠妇女血清总同型半胱氨酸、叶酸和维生素B_(12)水平分析

目的:研究分析妊娠妇女血清总同型半胱氨酸(tHcy)、叶酸(FA)、维生素B12(Vit B12)水平以及与其相关疾病的关系。方法:选择正常妊娠285例、妊娠期高血压疾病81例、其他不良妊娠37例、非孕育龄健康对照98例,分别以比色法测定血清tHcy水平;化学发光法测定FA、Vit B12水平。结果:正常妊娠妇女tHcy、FA、Vit B12水平显著低于正常对照,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01);妊娠期高血压疾病、不良妊娠tHcy水平显著增高且与正常对照相比,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);而妊娠期高血压疾病FA、Vit B12水平与正常妊娠相比,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);不良妊娠FA、Vit B12水平与正常妊娠相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:妊娠期高血压疾病、不良妊娠血清tHcy水平显著增高;低水平FA、Vit B12可能是不良妊娠的重要因素之一。     

同型半胱氨酸、叶酸和维生素B12水平与不良妊娠结局的相关性分析

目的:探讨同型半胱氨酸、叶酸和维生素B12与不良妊娠结局的相关性。方法:选取2016年10月-2017年3月发生不良妊娠结局的孕妇70例为观察组,未发生不良妊娠事件的孕妇627例为对照组,健康未孕育龄期妇女60例为未孕组。对比3组血清同型半胱氨酸、叶酸和维生素B12血清水平;通过Pearson相关性分析检验同型半胱氨酸和叶酸、维生素B12的相关性;通过非条件logistic多元逐步回归分析统计发生不良妊娠事件的相关危险因素。结果:观察组的同型半胱氨酸水平(11.2±2.8μmol/L)高于另外两组,而叶酸水平(645.9±281.4nmol/L)、维生素B12水平(247.2±102.3pmol/L)均低于另外两组(均P0.05);Pearson相关性分析结果显示,血清同型半胱氨酸水平与叶酸、维生素B12水平呈负相关关系(r=-0.089,-0.108,均P0.05);非条件logistic多元逐步回归分析结果显示,同型半胱氨酸升高、维生素B12降低以及年龄增大是不良妊娠发生的相关危险因素(均P0.05)。结论:同型半胱氨酸升高、维生素B12降低以及年龄增大是不良妊娠发生的相关危险因素,临床应加强孕期保健,对年龄较大的孕妇应加强同型半胱氨酸及维生素B12的监测,预防不良妊娠的发生。     

Antenatal supplementation with micronutrients and biochemical indicators of status and subclinical infection in rural Nepal

BACKGROUND: Previously we showed that women in rural Nepal experience multiple micronutrient deficiencies in early pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effects of daily antenatal micronutrient supplementation on changes in the biochemical status of several micronutrients during pregnancy. DESIGN: In Nepal, we conducted a randomized controlled trial in which 4 combinations of micronutrients (folic acid, folic acid + iron, folic acid + iron + zinc, and a multiple micronutrient supplement containing folic acid, iron, zinc, and 11 other nutrients) plus vitamin A, or vitamin A alone as a control, were given daily during pregnancy. In a subsample of subjects (n = 740), blood was collected both before supplementation and at approximately 32 wk of gestation. RESULTS: In the control group, serum concentrations of zinc, riboflavin, and vitamins B-12 and B-6 decreased, whereas those of copper and alpha-tocopherol increased, from the first to the third trimester. Concentrations of serum folate, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and undercarboxylated prothrombin remained unchanged. Supplementation with folic acid alone or folic acid + iron decreased folate deficiency. However, the addition of zinc failed to increase serum folate, which suggests a negative inhibition; multiple micronutrient supplementation increased serum folate. Folic acid + iron + zinc failed to improve zinc status but reduced subclinical infection. Multiple micronutrient supplementation decreased the prevalence of serum riboflavin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, folate, and vitamin D deficiencies but had no effect on infection. CONCLUSIONS: In rural Nepal, antenatal supplementation with multiple micronutrients can ameliorate, to some extent, the burden of deficiency. The implications of such biochemical improvements in the absence of functional and health benefits remain unclear.     

Micronutrient deficiencies in early pregnancy are common, concurrent, and vary by season among rural Nepali pregnant women

Pregnant women in developing countries are vulnerable to multiple micronutrient deficiencies. We investigated their prevalence and seasonal variation as part of a baseline assessment in a population-based, maternal micronutrient supplementation trial conducted in the rural Southeastern plains of Nepal. Serum concentrations of 11 micronutrients were assessed in 1165 pregnant women in the 1st trimester before supplementation. Using defined cutoff values, the prevalence of deficiencies of vitamins A, E, and D were 7, 25, and 14%, respectively. Nearly 33% of the women were deficient in riboflavin, and 40 and 28% had serum vitamin B-6 and B-12 deficiencies, respectively. Only 12% of the women were folate deficient, but 61% were zinc deficient. The prevalence of low serum iron concentration was 40%, and 33% were anemic (hemoglobin < 110 g/L). Multiple micronutrient deficiencies were common among pregnant women. Over 10% of the pregnant women were both anemic and deficient in B-complex vitamins, whereas 22% of women were both anemic and zinc deficient. Only 4% of women had no deficiency, whereas approximately 20% of the women had 2, 3, or 4 deficiencies. Almost 18% of women had >/=5 deficiencies. Micronutrient status varied by season; it was generally best during the winter months, except for serum vitamin D concentration, which peaked during the hot summer and monsoon months. Women in rural South Asia are likely to begin a pregnancy with multiple micronutrient deficiencies that may vary with seasonality in micronutrient-rich food availability.     

Factors influencing homocysteineamia in type 2 diabetic patients

Previous studies have suggested that hyperhomocysteinaemia (Hcy) could be a strong and independent cardiovascular risk factor. Many factors could influence the serum concentration of Hcy such as vitamin B 12, folic acid, renal failure, hypothyroid status, ovarian failure and cancers. So the aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinaemia among 54 type 2 diabetic patients and to study, its relationship with vitamin B12, folic acid and Metformin. Were excluded all patients with an evident cause of hyperhomocysteinaemia. Mean age of patients was 52.8 years. Mean Hcy was 11.7 + 6.9 micromol/l. The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinaemia was 27.8% in our group. There were eight (14%) patients with vitamin B12 deficiency and three among them had hyperhomocysteinaemia. There was no folic acid deficiency and no relationship with Metformin treatment. We suggest a wide screening of hyperhomocysteinaemia in type 2 diabetic patients and folic acid or vitamin B12 supplements if necessary.     

Hyperhomocysteinemia and vitamin B-12 deficiency in elderly using Title IIIc nutrition services

BACKGROUND: The effect of the folate food fortification program on the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in the older population with coexisting vitamin B-12 deficiency is not known. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia and vitamin B-12 deficiency in elderly who were using Title IIIc nutrition services, after folate food fortification in the United States. DESIGN: Demographic, nutritional, cognitive, routine diagnostic, and serum methylmalonic acid (MMA) and total homocysteine (tHcy) tests were performed in a convenience sample of 103 elderly enrolled in nutrition service programs in rural northeast Georgia. A subgroup (n = 27) was treated with vitamin B-12, 2.5 mg, and a multivitamin with 400 micro g folic acid, 2 mg vitamin B-6, and 27 mg ferrous fumarate. RESULTS: The total cohort included 103 participants (+/- SD age: 76.4 +/- 8.1; 80% female; 68% white, 32% African American). Vitamin B-12 deficiency (serum vitamin B-12 < 258 pmol/L and MMA > 271 nmol/L) was present in 23%. Mean serum folate was high, 39.3 nmol/L, and no subject had serum folate < 6.8 nmol/L. Mean tHcy was 17.6 +/- 7.2 micro mol/L in vitamin B-12-deficient subjects and 10.8 +/- 3.6 micro mol/L in those who were nondeficient. Determinants of high tHcy were vitamin B-12 deficiency, high serum creatinine, and low red blood cell folate. Those with vitamin B-12 deficiency were more likely to have poor cognition (58% compared with 20%, P < 0.001) and anemia (38% compared with 18%, P = 0.042). High-dose oral B-12 therapy lowered mean MMA and tHcy by 49% and 32%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Vitamin B-12 deficiency was prevalent and was associated with poor cognition, anemia, and hyperhomocysteinemia.     

Biochemical indicators of B vitamin status in the US population after folic acid fortification: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2000

BACKGROUND: Mandatory folic acid fortification of cereal-grain products was introduced in the United States in 1998 to decrease the risk that women will have children with neural tube defects. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine the effect of folic acid fortification on concentrations of serum and red blood cell (RBC) folate, serum vitamin B-12, and plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) and methylmalonic acid (MMA) in the US population. DESIGN: Blood was collected from a nationally representative sample of approximately 7300 participants aged > or = 3 y in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during 1999-2000 and was analyzed for these B vitamin-status indicators. The results were compared with findings from the prefortification survey NHANES III (1988-1994). RESULTS: The reference ranges (5th-95th percentiles) were 13.1-74.3 nmol/L for serum folate, 347-1167 nmol/L for RBC folate, and 179-738 pmol/L for serum vitamin B-12. For plasma tHcy and MMA, the reference ranges for serum vitamin B-12-replete participants with normal serum creatinine concentrations were 3.2-10.7 mumol/L and 60-210 nmol/L, respectively. The prevalence of low serum folate concentrations (<6.8 nmol/L) decreased from 16% before to 0.5% after fortification. In elderly persons, the prevalence of high serum folate concentrations (>45.3 nmol/L) increased from 7% before to 38% after fortification; 3% had marginally low serum vitamin B-12 concentrations (<148 pmol/L) and 7% had elevated plasma MMA concentrations (>370 nmol/L). Seventy-eight percent of the US population had plasma tHcy concentrations <9 micromol/L. CONCLUSIONS: Every segment of the US population appears to benefit from folic acid fortification. Continued monitoring of B vitamin concentrations in the US population is warranted.     

Low folic acid status and its association with anaemia in urban adolescent girls and women of childbearing age in Sri Lanka

Folic acid deficiency is implicated in the aetiology of nutritional anaemia and adverse pregnancy outcomes for the fetus. Data on folic acid status among adolescent girls and non-pregnant, non-lactating young women are limited. We assessed folic acid status in a random sample of 552 subjects (277 adolescent girls aged 15-18.9 years and 275 women aged 19-30 years) living in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The association of low folic acid status with anaemia was evaluated. Socio-economic, food intake and anthropometric data were obtained. Hb, serum folic acid, vitamin B12 and ferritin and plasma homocysteine concentrations were measured. Forty-three per cent of subjects studied had low serum folic acid concentrations (<3 ng/ml) and 47 % had low Fe stores (serum ferritin <20 microg/l). Overall prevalence of anaemia was 12.9 %, and 43.9 % of anaemic subjects had both low folic acid status and depleted Fe stores (serum ferritin <12 microg/l). Both low folate status and depleted Fe stores were significantly associated with anaemia (odds ratio = 2.32; 95 % CI 1.34, 4.01 and odds ratio = 5.98; 95 % CI 3.36, 10.63, respectively). Serum folic acid concentration was associated (r = 0.108, P = 0.015) with folate intake as indicated by a computed folate index. Folate index was associated inversely with household size and positively with economic status and education level. In this study population low folic acid status, besides depleted Fe stores, was associated with anaemia. The high prevalence of low folic acid status observed highlights the need for nutrition education to improve intakes of folate, Fe and other micronutrients among adolescent girls and young women.     

Grossesse après bypass : quels problèmes ?

The first available data suggest that rates of many adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes may be lower in women who become pregnant after having a gastric bypass compared with rates in pregnant women who are obese, and with rates in these women before surgery (reduction in gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, low birth weight or macrosomia). In spite of these positive results, there are potential complications during pregnancy directly related to the surgical procedure of gastric bypass. Usual intestinal symptoms of pregnancy (nausea and vomiting during the first trimester, acid reflux, constipation, food intolerance) need to be distinguished from surgical complication, particularly occlusive syndrome. This is a rare event but it could be very serious. In case of abdominal pain, women need to be examined by a digestive surgeon if there is no obstetrical problem. In addition, gastric bypass may result in nutritional deficiencies, in particular iron, vitamin B12, calcium, folic acid, vitamin D and protein deficiencies, because of malabsorption and low food intake. These deficiencies may be pronounced due to food intolerance and increase of physiologic nutritional needs in pregnancy. The frequency of severe deficiencies is limited in women taking vitamin supplements, but their consequences affect both mothers and neonates (such as congenital vitamin B12 deficiency in breastfed infant, or neural tube defect). Folic acid intake should be systematic before pregnancy. Recent recommendations suggest to avoid any pregnancy until weight stabilization (12 to 18 months) after gastric bypass, to screen pregnancy before surgical intervention, to prescribe folic acid supplementation and an efficient contraception right after gastric bypass, to provide support and counseling about diet before or just at the beginning of the pregnancy, to give supplements in iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, calcium and vitamin D. A follow-up on nutrition, if possible with a dietitian in a multidisciplinary team, should be organized once every trimester and in the post-partum period.     

Concentrations of Intra-erythrocyte Folate,Serum Vitamin B12, and Hemoglobin in Women of Childbearing Age and Associated Factors

Abstract

Objective: The aim was to verify the relations among intra-erythrocyte folate, serum vitamin B12, and hemoglobin concentrations in women of childbearing age and their association with several socioeconomic and demographic variables, nutritional status, and food consumption in the city of Recife, Northeastern Brazil.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a random sample of 1,210 women of childbearing age from the city of Recife. Concentrations of serum vitamin B12 and intra-erythrocyte folate were analyzed by immunoassay and hemoglobin concentrations by automated determination. A questionnaire was used to collect socioeconomic and demographic data of nutritional status and a food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate food consumption.

Results: Reductions in hemoglobin concentrations were found in 141 women (12.0%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 10.3–13.9), serum vitamin B12 in 81 women (7.0%; 95% CI, 5.7–8.6), and only 1 woman had a reduction in intra-erythrocyte folate concentrations. No women had a concomitant reduction of intra-erythrocyte folate, serum vitamin B12, and hemoglobin concentrations. However, 13 women (1.1%; 95% CI, 0.6–1.9) had a concomitant deficiency of hemoglobin and vitamin B12. Intra-erythrocyte folate concentrations were higher in women of a higher age and income. Hemoglobin concentrations were lower in smokers, and serum vitamin B12 concentrations did not show a significant variation in relation to socioeconomic, demographic, and anthropometric parameters. There was no strong correlation between food consumption and biochemical concentrations evaluated.

Conclusion: Despite the strategies to eradicate anemia, this nutritional deficiency was dominant. Serum vitamin B12 deficiency outpacing intra-erythrocyte folate is worrying due to the lack of programs to fight against vitamin B12 insufficiency. Age and income were directly related to intra-erythrocyte folate concentrations. Food consumption suggests that there is a homeostatic control to maintain equilibrium at biochemical concentrations.     

Prevalence of Anaemia, Deficiencies of Iron and Folic Acid and Their Determinants in Ethiopian Women

A cross-sectional community-based study with analytic component was conducted among Ethiopian women during June-July 2005 to assess the magnitude of anaemia and deficiencies of iron and folic acid and to compare the factors responsible for anaemia among anaemic and non-anaemic cases. In total, 970 women, aged 15-19 years, were selected systematically for haematological and other important parameters. The overall prevalence of anaemia, iron deficiency, iron-deficiency anaemia, deficiency of folic acid, and parasitic infestations was 30.4%, 50.1%, 18.1%, 31.3%, and 13.7% respectively. Women who had more children aged less than five years but above two years, open-field toilet habits, chronic illnesses, and having intestinal parasites were positively associated with anaemia. Women who had no formal education and who did not use contraceptives were negatively associated with anaemia. The major determinants identified for anaemia were chronic illnesses [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=1.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-1.55), deficiency of iron (AOR=0.4, 95% CI 0.35-0.64), and deficiency of folic acid (AOR=0.5, 95% CI 0.50-0.90). The odds for developing anaemia was 1.1 times more likely among women with chronic illnesses, 60% more likely in the iron-deficient and 40% more likely in the folic acid-deficient than their counterparts. One in every three women had anaemia and deficiency of folic acid while one in every two had iron deficiency, suggesting that deficiencies of both folic acid and iron constitute the major micronutrient deficiencies in Ethiopian women. The risk imposed by anaemia to the health of women ranging from impediment of daily activities and poor pregnancy outcome calls for effective public-health measures, such as improved nutrient supplementation, health education, and timely treatment of illnesses.Key words: Anaemia, Anaemia, Iron-deficiency, Community-based studies, Cross-sectional studies, Folic acid, Iron deficiency, Ethiopia