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Changes in the concentrations of biochemical indicators of diet and nutritional status of pregnant women across pregnancy trimesters in Trujillo, Peru, 2004-2005.
- Source :
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Nutrition journal [Nutr J] 2013 Jun 11; Vol. 12, pp. 80. Date of Electronic Publication: 2013 Jun 11. - Publication Year :
- 2013
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Abstract
- Background: In developing countries, deficiencies in essential micronutrients are common, particularly in pregnant women. Although, biochemical indicators of diet and nutrition are useful to assess nutritional status, few studies have examined such indicators throughout pregnancy in women in developing countries.<br />Methods: The primary objective of this study was to assess the nutritional status of 78 Peruvian women throughout pregnancy for 16 different nutritional indicators including fat-soluble vitamins and carotenoids, iron-status indicators, and selenium. Venous blood samples from which serum was prepared were collected during trimesters one (n = 78), two (n = 65), three (n = 62), and at term via the umbilical cord (n = 52). Questionnaires were completed to determine the demographic characteristics of subjects. Linear mixed effects models were used to study the associations between each maternal indicator and the demographic characteristics.<br />Results: None of the women were vitamin A and E deficient at any stage of pregnancy and only 1/62 women (1.6%) was selenium deficient during the third trimester. However, 6.4%, 44% and 64% of women had ferritin levels indicative of iron deficiency during the first, second and third trimester, respectively. Statistically significant changes (p ≤ 0.05) throughout pregnancy were noted for 15/16 nutritional indicators for this Peruvian cohort, with little-to-no association with demographic characteristics. Three carotenoids (beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin and trans-lycopene) were significantly associated with education status, while trans-lycopene was associated with age and beta-cryptoxanthin with SES (p < 0.05). Concentrations of retinol, tocopherol, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein + zeaxanthin and selenium were lower in cord serum compared with maternal serum (p < 0.05). Conversely, levels of iron status indicators (ferritin, transferrin saturation and iron) were higher in cord serum (p < 0.05).<br />Conclusion: The increasing prevalence of iron deficiency throughout pregnancy in these Peruvian women was expected. It was surprising though not to find deficiencies in other nutrients. The results highlight the importance of continual monitoring of women throughout pregnancy for iron deficiency which could be caused by increasing fetal needs and/or inadequate iron intake as pregnancy progresses.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Carotenoids blood
Cryptoxanthins
Developing Countries
Female
Fetal Blood chemistry
Humans
Iron, Dietary blood
Linear Models
Lutein blood
Lycopene
Micronutrients blood
Micronutrients deficiency
Nutrition Surveys
Peru
Pregnancy
Selenium blood
Socioeconomic Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
Vitamin A blood
Xanthophylls blood
Young Adult
Zeaxanthins
beta Carotene blood
Diet
Nutritional Status
Pregnancy Trimesters physiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1475-2891
- Volume :
- 12
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Nutrition journal
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 23758715
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-12-80