Vitamin A and β-Carotene Levels During Pregnancy in Gaziantep, Turkey

Vitamin A levels during pregnancy have important influences on the health of pregnant women and the growing fetus. Therefore, plasma vitamin A and β-carotene concentrations during pregnancy in Turkish women living in Gaziantep city were investigated in a prevalence study. Optimum sample size was determined as 252 for vitamin A deficiency and vitamin A and β-carotene levels were examined in 427 pregnant women aged 14–44 years. Vitamin A and β-carotene concentrations were measured spectrophotometrically by Neeld Pearson method. Vitamin A and β-carotene concentrations in pregnant women were found as 1.14 ± 0.44 μmol/L, and 1.80 ± 0.66 μmol/L, respectively. Plasma vitamin A concentrations were found in low levels (<1.05 μmol/L) in 45.5 % of pregnant women. Vitamin A deficiency (<0.7 μmol/L) was determined in 16.9% of pregnant women. A mild negative correlation was obtained between the vitamin A concentration and pregnancy period. Vitamin A levels of pregnant women were decreased significantly in the third trimester (p<0.05). The findings of present study suggest that vitamin A levels of pregnant women were poor in the region. Therefore, the intake of vitamin A with foods should be improved. Supplementation of vitamin A might benefit at improving maternal and child health especially in high-risk groups especially in developing countries. Monitoring vitamin A levels in pregnant women is very important for also determining low and high levels.

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