scholarly journals Folate and vitamin B12status of women of reproductive age living in Hanoi City and Hai Duong Province of Vietnam

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 941-946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vu Thi Thu Hien ◽  
Nguyen Thi Lam ◽  
Nguyen Cong Khan ◽  
Nguyen Tri Dung ◽  
C Murray Skeaff ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the folate and vitamin B12status of a group of Vietnamese women of reproductive age and to estimate the rate of neural tube defects (NTD) based on red blood cell (RBC) folate concentrations.Design and subjectsA representative sample of non-pregnant women (15–49 years) living in Hanoi City (n244) and Hai Duong Province (n245).MeasuresRBC folate, plasma vitamin B12and plasma holo-transcobalamin (holoTC), a sensitive indicator of vitamin B12status.ResultsMean (95 % CI) concentrations of RBC folate, plasma B12and plasma holoTC were 856 (837, 876) nmol/l, 494 (475, 513) pmol/l and 78 (74, 82) pmol/l, respectively. Only 3 % and 4 % of women had plasma B12and holoTC concentrations indicative of deficiency. No woman had an RBC folate concentration indicative of deficiency (<317 nmol/l). Only 47 % of women had an RBC folate concentration ≥905 nmol/l. Accordingly, we predict the NTD rate in these regions of Vietnam to be 14·7 (14·2, 15·1) per 10 000 pregnancies.ConclusionThere was no evidence of folate and vitamin B12deficiency among this population of Vietnamese women. However, suboptimal folate status may be placing three out of five women at increased risk of NTD. Reductions in NTD rates are still possible and women would benefit from additional folic acid during the periconceptional period from either supplements or fortified foods.

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3729
Author(s):  
Isabelle Herter-Aeberli ◽  
Nina Wehrli ◽  
Kurt Bärlocher ◽  
Maria Andersson ◽  
Janice Sych

Background: Folate plays an essential role in the prevention of neural tube defects, yet little is known about the folate status of women of reproductive age or to what degree the general population is aware of the importance of folate in early-life development. We aimed to determine folate status in women of reproductive age and pregnant women in Switzerland, and to assess folate awareness in the Swiss population. Methods: In a convenience sample of 171 women of reproductive age and 177 pregnant women throughout Switzerland, we measured red blood cell (RBC) folate concentration. In a second convenience sample (n = 784, men and women) we assessed folate knowledge with an online survey. Results: RBC folate concentration (median interquartile range) was 442 (366, 564) nmol/L in women of reproductive age and 873 (677, 1177) nmol/L in pregnant women. Folate deficiency (RBC folate <340 nmol/L) was found in 19.9% of women of reproductive age and 2.8% of pregnant women, while 91.8% of women of reproductive age and 52.0% of pregnant women showed folate concentrations indicating an elevated risk of neural tube defects (RBC folate <906 nmol/L). The online survey showed that a high proportion (≥88%) of participants were aware of folate’s role in neural tube defect (NTD) prevention and fetal development, yet knowledge about dietary sources and national recommendations of folate supplementation when planning pregnancy were limited. Conclusion: The high prevalence of folate inadequacy in Swiss women suggests an elevated risk of neural tube defects and calls for urgent measures to increase folate intakes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 567-576
Author(s):  
Ronald G. Munger ◽  
Rajarajeswari Kuppuswamy ◽  
Jyotsna Murthy ◽  
Kalpana Balakrishnan ◽  
Gurusamy Thangavel ◽  
...  

Background and Objective: The causal role of maternal nutrition in orofacial clefts is uncertain. We tested hypotheses that low maternal vitamin B12 and low folate status are each associated with an increased risk of isolated cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL±P) in a case–control study in Tamil Nadu state, India. Methods: Case-mothers of CL±P children (n = 47) and control-mothers of unaffected children (n = 50) were recruited an average of 1.4 years after birth of the index child and plasma vitamin B12, methylmalonic acid (MMA), total homocysteine (tHcy), and folate were measured at that time. Logistic regression analyses estimated associations between nutrient biomarkers and case–control status. Results: Odds ratios (ORs) contrasting biomarker levels showed associations between case-mothers and low versus high plasma vitamin B12 (OR = 2.48, 95% CI, 1.02-6.01) and high versus low plasma MMA, an indicator of poor B12 status (OR = 3.65 95% CI, 1.21-11.05). Case–control status was not consistently associated with folate or tHcy levels. Low vitamin B12 status, when defined by a combination of both plasma vitamin B12 and MMA levels, had an even stronger association with case-mothers (OR = 6.54, 95% CI, 1.33-32.09). Conclusions: Mothers of CL±P children in southern India were 6.5 times more likely to have poor vitamin B12 status, defined by multiple biomarkers, compared to control-mothers. Further studies in populations with diverse nutritional backgrounds are required to determine whether poor maternal vitamin B12 or folate levels or their interactions are causally related to CL±P.


Author(s):  
Jane S. Whitbread ◽  
Karen J. Murphy ◽  
Peter M. Clifton ◽  
Jennifer B. Keogh

Women consuming a strictly vegan/plant-based diet may be at increased risk of low iodine intake due to avoidance of animal products containing iodine. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the iodine excretion and intake in women consuming vegan/plant based diets compared with women consuming omnivore diets. Fifty-seven women (n = 31 plant-based, n = 26 omnivores), provided two spot urine samples to assess urinary iodine concentration (UIC). Two days of dietary intake were also recorded by participants. As the data were not normally distributed results are reported as median (IQR). UIC was significantly different between groups, 44 (26–66) µg/L in the vegan/plant-based group versus 64 (40–88) µg/L in omnivores (p < 0.05). UIC did not meet the >100 µg/L level recommended by the World Health Organization. Iodine intake was also significantly different, 78 (62–91) µg/day in the vegan/plant-based group and 125 (86–175) µg/day in the omnivores (p = 0.000). Iodine intake and bread intake were correlated with iodine excretion (CC 0.410–4.11, p = 0.003). These data indicate iodine insufficiency in both groups of women as the median values were below the minimum WHO recommendation. A larger study assessing iodine excretion in the Australian women of reproductive age who are not pregnant or breastfeeding is needed to confirm these findings.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (02) ◽  
pp. 237-241
Author(s):  
Shabana Rafiq ◽  
Razia Bibi ◽  
Samina Ashraf

Objectives: To determine the frequency of ovarian malignancy in women ofreproductive age presenting with ovarian mass and to determine frequency of factors leadingto ovarian malignancy. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics& Gynaecology, Lady Wallington Hospital, Lahore. Period with Dates: From 05.11.11 to26.06.12. Results: The result of our study reveals majority of the patients between 21-30 yearsi.e. 45.88%(n=39), common age was 24.21+3.76 years, 43.53%(n=37) were nulliparous (inmajority), while frequency of ovarian malignancy in women of reproductive age presenting withovarian mass was recorded in 14.11%(n=12) while frequency of factors leading to ovarianmalignancy was 91.67%(n=11) patients were nulliparous while family history of ovarianmalignancy was in 8.33%(n=1) patients. Conclusions: The frequency of ovarian malignancy ishigher among reproductive age females with increased risk of nulliparity.


2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Kiondo ◽  
Nazarius M. Tumwesigye ◽  
Julius Wandabwa ◽  
Gakenia Wamuyu-Maina ◽  
Gabriel S. Bimenya ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Concepción Sánchez-Moreno ◽  
Antonio Jiménez-Escrig ◽  
Antonio Martín

In the present review concerning stroke, we evaluate the roles of B vitamins, homocysteine and antioxidant vitamins. Stroke is a leading cause of death in developed countries. However, current therapeutic strategies for stroke have been largely unsuccessful. Several studies have reported important benefits on reducing the risk of stroke and improving the post-stroke-associated functional declines in patients who ate foods rich in micronutrients, including B vitamins and antioxidant vitamins E and C. Folic acid, vitamin B6and vitamin B12are all cofactors in homocysteine metabolism. Growing interest has been paid to hyperhomocysteinaemia as a risk factor for CVD. Hyperhomocysteinaemia has been linked to inadequate intake of vitamins, particularly to B-group vitamins and therefore may be amenable to nutritional intervention. Hence, poor dietary intake of folate, vitamin B6and vitamin B12are associated with increased risk of stroke. Elevated consumption of fruits and vegetables appears to protect against stroke. Antioxidant nutrients have important roles in cell function and have been implicated in processes associated with ageing, including vascular, inflammatory and neurological damage. Plasma vitamin E and C concentrations may serve as a biological marker of lifestyle or other factors associated with reduced stroke risk and may be useful in identifying those at high risk of stroke. After reviewing the observational and intervention studies, there is an incomplete understanding of mechanisms and some conflicting findings; therefore the available evidence is insufficient to recommend the routine use of B vitamins, vitamin E and vitamin C for the prevention of stroke. A better understanding of mechanisms, along with well-designed controlled clinical trials will allow further progress in this area.


2003 ◽  
Vol 133 (10) ◽  
pp. 3166-3169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Hertrampf ◽  
Fanny Cortés ◽  
J. David Erickson ◽  
Marisol Cayazzo ◽  
Wilma Freire ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 106 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Lotto ◽  
Sang-Woon Choi ◽  
Simonetta Friso

The objective of the present review is to highlight the relationship between low vitamin B6status and CVD through its link with inflammation. While overt vitamin B6deficiency is uncommon in clinical practice, increasing evidence suggests that marginal vitamin B6deficiency is rather frequent in a consistent proportion of the population and is related to an increased risk of inflammation-related diseases. Ample evidence substantiates the theory of atherosclerosis as an inflammatory disease, and low plasma vitamin B6concentrations have been related to increased CVD risk. Several studies have also shown that low vitamin B6status is associated with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, both of which hold an underlying chronic inflammatory condition. Furthermore, the inverse association observed between inflammation markers and vitamin B6supports the notion that inflammation may represent the common link between low vitamin B6status and CVD risk. In addition to the epidemiological evidence, there are a number of cell culture and animal studies that have suggested several possible mechanisms relating impaired vitamin B6status with chronic inflammation. A mild vitamin B6deficiency characterises, in most cases, a subclinical at-risk condition in inflammatory-linked diseases which should be addressed by an appropriate individually tailored nutritional preventive or therapeutic strategy.


Anemia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Sengtavanh Keokenchanh ◽  
Sengchanh Kounnavong ◽  
Akiko Tokinobu ◽  
Kaoru Midorikawa ◽  
Wakaha Ikeda ◽  
...  

Introduction. Anemia continues to be a major public health problem significant among women of reproductive age (WRA) in developing countries, including Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), where the prevalence of anemia among women remains high. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anemia and its associated factors among WRA 15–49 years in Lao PDR. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study, using the Lao Social Indicator Survey II, 2017 dataset. A total of 12,519 WRA tested for anemia were included in this study, through multistage sampling approaches. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the associated factors of anemia. Results. Of 12,519 women, 4,907 (39.2%) were anemic. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that living in central provinces (aOR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.96–2.38), rural area (aOR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.00–1.20), large family size with more than 6 persons (aOR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.01–1.29), pregnancy (aOR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.22–1.74), having any adverse pregnancy outcomes (aOR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.03–1.25), poor drinking water (aOR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.10–1.39), and poor sanitation facility (aOR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.03–1.28) were significantly associated with an increased risk of anemia. Conversely, four factors were associated with anemia preventively, including being aged 25–34 years (aOR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.74–0.90), postsecondary education (aOR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.60–0.97), Hmong-Mien ethnicity (aOR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.39–0.59), and watching television almost daily (aOR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.75–0.95). Conclusion. Anemia continues to be a major public health challenge in Lao PDR. Interventions should be considered on geographic variations, improving safe water and sanitation facility, promoting of iron supplements during pregnancy, and health education through mass media for women in rural areas.


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