Abstract
Although vitamin B-6 depletion and repletion studies conducted in the 1970s in small samples indicated that oral contraceptive (OC) use does not increase the requirement for this vitamin, there remain 2 reasons for concern about this issue. The 1st is that concentrations of plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), the single best indicator of vitamin B-6 status, are depressed in the majority of OC users. This consistent finding is independent of dietary intake of the vitamin. The 2nd reason for concern is the potential effect of longterm OC use on the vitamin B-6 status of pregnant and lactating women. OC use exceeding 30 months has been associated with significantly lower serum concentrations of vitamin B-6 at 5 months gestation and at delivery and with lower Apgar scores; in addition, concentrations of vitamin B-16 in breast milk are lower in OC users than in nonusers. These 2 observations indicate that the requirement for vitamin B-6 is increased, even if only slightly, among OC users. Thus, the vitamin B-6 status should be continually evaluated in OC users, especially those who later desire pregnancy and plan to breastfeed. In addition, efforts should made to improve dietary intake of vitamin B-6 in women of childbearing age.
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