Disturbance of vitamin B6 metabolism in pregnancy: III. Abnormal Vitamin B6 Load Test

Abstract

Further evidence for the existence of a vitamin B6 deficiency in pregnancy was established with the help of a vitamin B6 load test. In this test the urinary excretion of 4-pyridoxic acid, the main metabolic end product of vitamin B6, was measured for an 8 hour period following the ingestion of 25 mg. pyridoxal hydrochloride. Full-term normal and toxemic pregnant women were found to excrete smaller amounts of 4-pyridoxic acid than either normal controls or patients with various diseases. Thus pregnant women retain administered vitamin B6 to a significantly larger extent than do control subjects.