Abstract
This study was conducted to assess serum levels of folate and vitamin B12 in overweight and obese pregnant women. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Saad Abualila Hospital, Sudan. Clinical data were collected through questionnaires and body mass index (BMI) was computed from weight and height. The serum folate and vitamin B12 levels were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Of 300 enrolled women, 44.7% were of normal weight, 32.3% were overweight and 3.0% were obese. The folate level was significantly lower in overweight women (median 4.79 ng/ml [IQR 2.70‒7.70]) than in normal-weight women (median 6.650 ng/ml [IQR 3.30‒10.55]; p=0.022). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of marginal and severe folate deficiencies in women in different BMI groups. Compared with normal-weight women (median 197.5 pg/ml [IQR 150.0‒263.0]), obese women (median 173.0 pg/ml [IQR 150.0‒213.0]; p=0.038) had significantly lower vitamin B12 levels and had a higher prevalence of vitamin B12 insufficiency. Fair negative correlations (p<0.01) were observed between folate and BMI (r = -0.157) and between vitamin B12 and BMI (r = -0.173). Overweight and obese pregnant Sudanese women had lower levels of serum folate and vitamin B12.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
