Role of serum vitamin A and E in pregnancy

Abstract

Serum levels of vitamin A and E in early, middle and late pregnancy were analyzed to evaluate vitamin nutritional status in pregnancy, and provide guidance for pregnant women about vitamin supplements in pregnancy. In total, 28,023 serum samples were randomly selected from pregnant women in early, middle and late pregnancy between January 2013 and June 2014 in Beijing. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was used to determine the concentration of serum vitamin A and E in pregnancy. The concentration of serum vitamin A in early, middle and late pregnancy was 0.33±0.08, 0.37±0.09 and 0.33±0.15 mg/l, respectively, total abnormal rate was 25.31%, and deficiency (24.98%) was the main feature. The rate of deficiency in the early pregnancy (38.22%) was greater than that in late pregnancy (35.13%). The serum vitamin E in early, middle and late pregnancy was 9.10±2.47, 14.24±3.66 and 15.80±5.01 mg/l, respectively, total abnormal rate was 5.60%, and excess (5.37%) was the main feature. The excess rate in early pregnancy was at the lowest level (0.50%), and reached the highest level (15.32%) in late pregnancy. The serum levels of vitamin A and E are different during pregnancy. Generally, vitamin A is deficient and vitamin E is in excess. Therefore, monitoring the vitamin A and E levels, and strengthening perinatal education and providing guidance for pregnant women to supply vitamins rationally play important role in guaranteeing maternal and fetal safety.

Keywords: nutritional status; pregnancy; serum levels; vitamin A; vitamin E.

Figure 1.

Serum vitamin A level in pregnancy was 0.36±0.10 mg/l. According to the stage of pregnancy the vitamin A levels were 0.33±0.08, 0.37±0.09, and 0.33±0.15 mg/l in early, middle, and late pregnancy, respectively. The levels in early and late pregnancy were relatively low. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).

Figure 2.

Serum vitamin E level in pregnancy was 12.9±4.30 mg/l. According to the stage of pregnancy the vitamin E levels were 9.10±2.47, 14.24±3.66, and 15.80±5.01 mg/l in early, middle, and late pregnancy, respectively. The levels in early and late pregnancy were relatively low. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).