Seasonal variations in ascorbic acid status and breast milk ascorbic acid levels in rural Gambian women in relation to dietary intake

Abstract

Vitamin C intakes from mangoes and oranges, and plasma and breast milk ascorbic acid concentrations were measured at regular intervals in a cohort of pregnant and lactating women in Keneba and Manduar, two neighbouring rural Gambian villages. Extremely wide seasonal variations in plasma ascorbic acid levels were observed, the peak during the mango season in May and June attaining mean levels of 1·4 mg/dl, while the lowest levels, averaging only 0·2 mg/dl, were observed during the rainy season, during September and October. Parallel, but less pronounced variations were observed in breast milk ascorbate levels. A vitamin-fortified milk and biscuit supplement, given first to the lactating, and later to the pregnant, mothers in Keneba, which provided about 35 mg ascorbic acid per day, failed to produce any major improvement in plasma ascorbic acid levels during the rainy season, although there was some evidence for an improvement in breast milk levels. It is therefore likely that considerably greater intakes are required to maintain satisfactory maternal circulating levels and biochemical status during this critical period.