Concentrations In Pregnant Women Research Articles

Seasonal variations of vitamin D concentrations in pregnant women and neonates in Slovenia

ObjectiveWhile foreign research shows a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women and consequently in neonates, we do not have any data on vitamin D concentration in these risk groups for Slovenia. We performed a prospective study to evaluate vitamin D concentration in pregnant women and neonates in Maribor region. Study designWe determined 25-hydroxy-vitamin D concentration from blood samples taken before delivery from 100 pregnant women who gave birth in Maribor University Clinical Centre in September and December 2013, respectively, and from the cord blood of their neonates. We collected data on nutrition and sun exposure during pregnancy. We calculated the vitamin D concentrations in pregnant women and neonates according to season of birth and use of nutrition supplements, determined the vitamin D levels in some pregnancy complications and checked the correlation of maternal and neonatal vitamin D concentrations. ResultsThe average vitamin D concentration in the September group was 54.3±25.2nmol/L, and in the December group 33.3±18.6nmol/L (p<0.001). Optimal vitamin D concentration (>80nmol/L) was reached by 12.0% of pregnant women in September and by only 2.0% in December. Women who took nutrition supplements containing vitamin D during pregnancy had significantly higher vitamin D levels than those who did not (September 68.9±27.0nmol/L vs. 46.5±20.3nmol/L, p<0.001; December 38.7±17.9nmol/L vs. 30.2±18.4nmol/L, p=0.028). Neonates had higher average levels of vitamin D than their mothers but there was a good correlation between maternal and neonatal vitamin D values. ConclusionVitamin D deficiency is very common in pregnant women in Slovenia as well, especially in winter and in those women who do not take nutrition supplements containing vitamin D.

A cross-sectional analytical study of geophagia practices and blood metal concentrations in pregnant women in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Geophagia, a form of pica, has been shown to be widely practised in sub-Saharan Africa, especially among pregnant women. To assess the prevalence of geophagia and examine exposure to selected metals and associated risk factors in women attending an antenatal clinic at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa, during June and July 2010. We conducted a cross-sectional study on a convenience sample of 307 pregnant women, ranging in age from 18 to 46 years. Structured interviews were conducted to understand geophagia practices. Blood samples were collected to determine haemoglobin values and concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead. Statistical analyses using the χ2 test, Wilcoxon's rank-sum test and logistic regression analyses were performed as appropriate. Mean parity was 1.4 and the mean (standard deviation) gestational age 30.3 (6.0) weeks. Geophagia was reported by 60 women (19.5%), and the majority purchased soil from street vendors (83.3%). The prevalence of anaemia in the study sample was 16.9% (95% confidence interval 13.1 - 21.6%). Geophagic women had significantly higher blood lead levels than non-geophagic women (2.1 v. 1.4 µg/dl; p<0.001). Anaemia, the use of African traditional medicines and craving of non-nutritive substances in a previous pregnancy were associated with geophagia. Geophagia is practised by a considerable proportion of pregnant women in Johannesburg, especially migrant women. Greater vigilance in respect of pica, especially geophagia, may be needed as part of antenatal care programmes to avoid potentially detrimental health effects of the practice.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a diagnostic marker of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

IntroductionIn this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and total bile acid (TBA) concentration in pregnant women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). Materials and methodsFasting and postprandial TBA, NLR, and aminotransferase (AST/ALT) levels in the blood samples of 65 pregnant women with intrahepatic cholestasis were examined in this prospective case–control study. Thirty-three of the patients had mild disease and 32 had severe disease; 70 healthy women in uncomplicated pregnancies served as the control group. ResultsNot only was the mean NLR elevated in the pregnant women with cholestasis when compared to the controls, but it also predicted the severity of the cholestasis. The correlation between fasting TBA and NLR was significant. CommentsAlthough TBA is still the diagnostic standard, NLR can be used as an initial screening tool due to its high specificity.

Amniotic fluid amino acid concentrations in fetal skeletal dysplasia

The authors’ objective was to measure amniotic fluid amino acid concentrations in pregnant women diagnosed as having fetuses with skeletal dysplasia in the second trimester of pregnancy. Eighteen pregnant women who had fetuses with with skeletal dysplasia detected by ultrasonography (skeletal dysplasia) in the second trimester and 35 women who had abnormal triple screenings indicating an increased risk for Down syndrome, but had healthy fetuses (control group), were enrolled in the study. Amniotic fluid was obtained by amniocentesis. The chromosomal analysis of the study and control groups was normal. Levels of free amino acids and non-essential amino acids were measured in amniotic fluid samples using GC/FID free (physiological) amino acid kit by gas chromatography. The mean levels of essential amino acids (histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine) in amniotic fluid were found to be significantly lower in fetuses with skeletal dysplasia than in the control group (p

Severe vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women and their newborns in Turkey

Objectives: Vitamin D deficiency is an important health problem in pregnant women and their infants in sunny countries. Low socio-economic status (LSES), covered dressing style, pregnancies in winter season and having dark skin are the major risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. The present study evaluated serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] concentrations in pregnant women and in their newborns and determined the risk factors in LSES cities in Turkey.Methods: Ninety-seven pregnant women and their newborns were included in the study between December 2012 and February 2013. All of the pregnant women had irregular follow-up or had received no antenatal care, were pregnant during summer, had presented to the hospital after 37 weeks of gestation (WG) and had received no vitamin D supplementation. A detailed history was obtained, which included mothers’ age, number of births and dressing sytle. Maternal and cord blood samples were taken to measure 25(OH)D3 levels.Results: All of the pregnant women were predominantly LSES, had covered dressing style and none of them had received vit D3 supplementation during pregnancy. The mean serum 25(OH)D3 level and mean cord blood level of of 97 mothers were 4.97 ± 3.27 ng/ml and 4.29 ± 2.44 ng/ml, respectively. There was a strong positive correlation between maternal serum and umbilical cord 25(OH)D3 levels (r: 0.735, p < 0.05). Ninety-five mothers had serum 25(OH)D3 below 20 ng/ml and all cord blood serum 25(OH)D3 levels were below 20 ng/ml. Level of 25(OH)D3 was not correlated with mother age, WG or newborn weight. Serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations in primigravida and multigravida were 3.71 ± 1.88 and 5.2 ± 3.4 ng/ml, respectively, with a significant difference between them (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Severe vitamin D deficiency is common in reproductive women and their newborns in LSES cities of Turkey. Covered dressing style, not receiving any vitamin D supplementation and primigravida women are at greatest risk. Vitamin D supplementation campaigns which should cover pregnant women and the newborn to prevent maternal and perinatal vitamin D deficiency should be implemented especially in risk areas.

Serum cotinine and whole blood folate concentrations in pregnancy

PurposePrenatal tobacco smoke exposure may be associated with low maternal folate levels that increase the risk of adverse infant and child health outcomes by reducing folate availability during fetal development. MethodsUsing data from the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment Study, we examined the relationship between secondhand or active tobacco smoke exposure and whole blood folate concentrations in pregnant women from Cincinnati, Ohio (n = 362) at approximately 16-week gestation. We used multivariable linear regression to examine the association between continuous or categorical serum cotinine levels and whole blood folate levels, adjusting for sociodemographic, dietary, and perinatal variables. ResultsAfter adjustment for potential confounders, an interquartile range increases in serum cotinine concentration (0.012–0.224 ng/mL) was suggestively associated with decreased whole blood folate levels (β, −23 nmol/L; 95% confidence interval (CI), −49, 3; P value = .08). Compared with unexposed women, reductions in mean whole blood folate were observed among active smokers (β, −94, 95% CI, 195, 6 nmol/L; P value = .40); smaller reductions were observed among women with secondhand exposure (β, 26; CI, 84, 32 nmol/L; P value = .07). ConclusionsConsistent with prior studies, active smoking was associated with reduced whole blood folate levels among these pregnant women. Secondhand tobacco smoke exposures were associated with small and imprecise reductions in whole blood folate levels.

Assessment of urinary concentration of cotinine in Chinese pregnant women exposed to environmental tobacco smoke

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a well-known reason of many adverse health consequences in pregnant women. Exposure of ETS during pregnancy may increase the risk of some fetal diseases in pregnant women and/or birth defects in neonates. Many countries have implemented laws to control smoking and free of second hand smoke in all enclosed workplaces. In China, anti-smoking law was enforced in March 2010. We aimed to assess the exposure of pregnant women to cotinine after anti-smoking law was implemented in China. The urine samples were collected from 2,100 volunteers from Zhejiang Province, China and urinary concentration of cotinine was measured using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Cotinine was detected in 87 % of the pregnant women. The GM and 95th percentile concentration in pregnant women were 4.28 and 44.00 μg/L, respectively. Similarly, the GM and 95th concentration of cotinine were significantly higher in smoking group than in non-smoking group (P < 0.0001). Our results indicate that pregnant women in China are at the high risk of exposure ETS. Further attempts are required to make strategies to find out the sources of ETS exposure and prevent smoking at public places especially during pregnancy.

Impacto de la aplicación de los criterios de la Asociación Americana de Tiroides en el diagnóstico de hipotiroidismo en gestantes de Vigo, España

In order to determine the impact of the application of the American Thyrold Associations (ATA) criteria for the diagnosis of hypothyroidism in pregnant women in the health district of Vigo, Spain, concentrations of serum thyrotropin (TSH), free thyroxine (T4L) and anti-thyroid antibodies were analyzed, comparing the frequency of pregnant women diagnosed with hypothyroidism and applying the criteria used in the hormone laboratory at Xeral Hospital and referential criteria established by ATA. The application of ATA referential criteria increased by 29.6% the number of female patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism. The application of ATA guidelines had an impact on the measurement of TSH concentrations in pregnant women, which calls for an evaluation of referential values of TSH based on the population and the local diagnostic methods.

Blood and Hair Manganese Concentrations in Pregnant Women from the Infants’ Environmental Health Study (ISA) in Costa Rica

Manganese (Mn), an essential nutrient, is a neurotoxicant at high concentrations. We measured Mn concentrations in repeated blood and hair samples collected from 449 pregnant women living near banana plantations with extensive aerial spraying of Mn-containing fungicide mancozeb in Costa Rica, and examined environmental and lifestyle factors associated with these biomarkers. Mean blood Mn and geometric mean hair Mn concentrations were 24.4 μg/L (8.9–56.3) and 1.8 μg/g (0.05–53.3), respectively. Blood Mn concentrations were positively associated with gestational age at sampling (β = 0.2; 95% CI: 0.1 to 0.2), number of household members (β = 0.4; 95% CI: 0.1 to 0.6), and living in a house made of permeable and difficult-to-clean materials (β = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.3 to 4.0); and inversely related to smoking (β = −3.1; 95% CI: −5.8 to −0.3). Hair Mn concentrations were inversely associated with gestational age at sampling (% change = 0.8; 95% CI: −1.6 to 0.0); and positively associated with living within 50 m of a plantation (% change = 42.1; 95% CI: 14.2 to 76.9) and Mn concentrations in drinking water (% change = 17.5; 95% CI: 12.2 to 22.8). Our findings suggest that pregnant women living near banana plantations aerially sprayed with mancozeb may be environmentally exposed to Mn.

Polymorphisms of the Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene in Preeclampsia in a Han Chinese Population

Background/Aims: The endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene has been enlisted by previous research as a candidate gene of preeclampsia predisposition. This study investigates the specific roles of 3 polymorphisms of the eNOS gene in a population of Chinese origin from mainland China. Methods: We studied the association of 3 commonly studied polymorphisms of the eNOS gene, namely 4b/a, T-786C and Glu298Asp, in a case-controlled sample of 220 patients diagnosed with preeclampsia and 200 healthy controls. The association between eNOS polymorphisms and preeclampsia was evaluated by performing genotyping for the eNOS variants and calculating odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals. The plasma nitrite concentration in participants was determined to examine how 3 eNOS polymorphisms affect plasma nitric oxide (NO) concentrations in pregnant women. Results: The frequencies of both the variant 298Asp allele and eNOS 4a allele were significantly lower in preeclamptic women than in the control group and had a significantly lower OR. The variant 298Asp allele and eNOS 4a are strongly associated with higher plasma NO concentrations in pregnant women. Conclusions: Polymorphisms in the eNOS gene may be protective against preeclampsia in a Chinese population, and this protective effect may be associated with NO formation in plasma in pregnant women.

Vitamin D concentrations in pregnant women with diabetes attending for antenatal care in Far North Queensland

Serum concentrations of vitamin D were measured in 101 pregnant women with diabetes, both pre-existing and gestational, who attended for antenatal care in Cairns Base Hospital. Eighty-two (81.2%) had sufficient concentrations of vitamin D, 12 (11.9%) had levels indicating insufficiency and 7 (6.9%) were deficient. These findings contrast with those in the general population of pregnant women in the region, among whom 93.1% have been shown to have sufficient levels. The study contributes to the ongoing debate around the need for universal antenatal vitamin D screening in Australia.

Relationship between self-reported fish and shellfish consumption, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope values and total mercury concentrations in pregnant women (II) from Baja California Sur, Mexico

Seafood is a valuable source of nutrients important for fetal development. However, seafood consumption is the main route of exposure to monomethyl mercury (MeHg+) for humans. MeHg+ is highly bioavailable and potentially adversely affects fetal neurodevelopment. MeHg+ exposure from fish consumption varies significantly by age and trophic level of fish consumed as well as the frequency and amount of fish consumed. This study investigates total Hg concentrations ([THg]) in hair segments of pregnant Mexican women in relation to (1) self-reported frequency of fish and shellfish consumption, (2) maternal trophic level and marine diet contributions, determined using hair carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stable isotopes, and (3) relates [THg] to various hair advisory thresholds. We also examined whether variation in C and N isotope values is explained by self-reported frequency of fish and shellfish consumption. A significant proportion of hair samples had [THg] higher than suggested agency thresholds and, for women within the range of the various advisory thresholds (1–20 μg g−1), the specific statistic used and threshold applied are important considerations for assessing and communicating risk. Individuals enriched in 15N (δ15N values) had higher [THg] as did individuals that reported consuming fish and shellfish more frequently, suggesting that variation in [THg] can be explained by both consumer reported diet and diet as determined by C and N stable isotope assessment. However, at higher reported fish consumption levels the trophic level is maintained while [THg] is paradoxically lower. This suggests that THg exposure and assimilation are more complicated in higher fish frequency consumption categories. [THg] is more variable at the higher concentrations, possibly indicating some exposure to non-dietary Hg, heritable variations affecting Hg toxicodynamics, and BMI and tobacco exposure factors as outlined in our companion paper.

Mercury and lead blood concentrations in pregnant women from 10 caribbean countries.

Maternal mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) blood concentrations were measured in a total of 442 samples taken from pregnant and delivering women in 10 Caribbean countries. Hg was detected in all 10 countries with the geometric mean ranging from a low of 0.83 μg L(-1) (Jamaica) to a high of 3.13 μg L(-1) (Grenada). When compared to comparable U.S. and Canadian data, Hg concentrations in Caribbean women are on average more than 2 times higher. With the exception of St. Kitts & Nevis, Pb was detected in at least one of the samples taken from the other 9 countries with two countries-Grenada and St. Vincent - having Pb detected in ≥60% of those sampled. In these two countries, the Pb concentrations ranged from a low of 1.17 μg dL(-1) (Grenada) to a high of 1.98 μg dL(-1) (St. Vincent). Compared to comparable U.S. and Canadian data, Pb concentrations in Caribbean women are generally higher than that measured in North America. This study confirms that neonates in the Caribbean are being exposed to both Hg and Pb and highlights the need to implement surveillance programs that continuously monitor, intervene, and evaluate the levels of these toxic elements to ensure that they are reduced as far as possible.

Marine diet and tobacco exposure affects mercury concentrations in pregnant women (I) from Baja California Sur, Mexico

Seafood provides essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and other nutrients to pregnant women and their fetus(es) while a diet rich in finfish can be a major pathway of monomethyl mercury (MeHg+) exposure. We measured total mercury concentration ([THg]) in hair samples provided by 75 women in Baja California Sur (BCS) to assess its relationship with age, parity, tobacco smoke exposure, and diet based on survey methodologies. Generalized linear models (GLM) were used to explain the possible association of the different variables with [THg] in hair. Median [THg] in hair was 1.52 μg g−1, ranging from 0.12 to 24.19 μg g−1 and varied significantly by segment. Approximately 72% (54/75) of those evaluated exceed 1 μg g−1 [THg] and 8% (6/75) exceed 5 μg g−1 [THg] in hair. Although frequency of fish consumption contributed significantly to explaining hair [THg], fish consumption only explained 43% of [THg] in a GLM incorporating tobacco exposure and body mass index. This study establishes possible relationships among multiple potential sources of exposure and other factors related to [THg] in hair of women in the prenatal period. A more detailed examination of other sources of exposure and factors contributing to [THg] is warranted.

Estimation of bisphenol A (BPA) concentrations in pregnant women, fetuses and nonpregnant women in Eastern Townships of Canada

We determined bisphenol A (BPA) concentrations of 61 pregnant women (PW), their fetuses and 26 nonpregnant women (NPW) in Eastern Townships of Canada; and evaluated potential correlations between maternal and fetal blood, and between peripheral blood and peritoneal fluid. In PW, BPA levels were ranged from non-detected to 4.46ng/ml and from non-detected to 4.60ng/ml for maternal and fetal serum, respectively. In NPW, BPA levels were ranged from 1.30 to 8.17ng/ml and from 0.19 to 13.45ng/ml for serum and peritoneal fluid, respectively. Positive correlation was found between maternal and fetal serum, and between serum and peritoneal fluid. In conclusion, our findings highlight a continuous distribution of BPA between the mother and its fetus and reveal a role of pregnancy in underestimating the actual levels of blood BPA. Our study also provides a temporal-spatial reference on BPA exposure, which is a useful tool in monitoring, comparing and correcting.

Population Pharmacokinetics of Lumefantrine in Pregnant and Nonpregnant Women With Uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in Uganda.

Pregnancy alters the pharmacokinetic properties of many antimalarial compounds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic properties of lumefantrine in pregnant and nonpregnant women with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Uganda after a standard fixed oral artemether–lumefantrine treatment. Dense venous (n = 26) and sparse capillary (n = 90) lumefantrine samples were drawn from pregnant patients. A total of 17 nonpregnant women contributed with dense venous lumefantrine samples. Lumefantrine pharmacokinetics was best described by a flexible absorption model with multiphasic disposition. Pregnancy and body temperature had a significant impact on the pharmacokinetic properties of lumefantrine. Simulations from the final model indicated 27% lower day 7 concentrations in pregnant women compared with nonpregnant women and a decreased median time of 0.92 and 0.42 days above previously defined critical concentration cutoff values (280 and 175 ng/ml, respectively). The standard artemether–lumefantrine dose regimen in P. falciparum malaria may need reevaluation in nonimmune pregnant women.

Effect of iodine supplementation during pregnancy on neonatal thyroid stimulating hormone

Background Thyroid hormone is essential for neurological development, particularly in the developing brain. Iodine is the important constituent of thyroid hormone. Its requirement during pregnancy is increased. Elevated neonatal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is a sensitive indicator of iodine insufficiency in pregnant women. Our previous study in the year 2000 demonstrated that median urine iodine (UI) concentration in pregnant women was 85 μg/ L, a level of which indicates mild iodine deficiency. Since October 2010, Thai national universal iodine supplementation program has been started by prescribing a 150 μgiodine tablet daily to all pregnant women throughout their gestation. We, therefore, aimed to determine the effect of maternal iodine supplementation on neonatal TSH.

Urinary Perchlorate and Thiocyanate Concentrations in Pregnant Women from Toronto, Canada

Dear Editor: The developing fetus is dependent upon maternal iodine for thyroid hormone production required for normal neurodevelopment. Perchlorate is ubiquitous at low levels in the environment from the manufacture of air bags and solid rocket fuel and is present in a wide variety of foodstuffs, a component of some crop fertilizers used in the United States, and a byproduct of fireworks displays. Low-level perchlorate exposure has been recently suggested to adversely affect thyroid function. Perchlorate acts as a competitive inhibitor of the sodium/iodide symporter and is also actively transported by the sodium/iodide symporter to be concentrated into the thyroid follicular cells. Thiocyanate, from cigarette smoke and some Brassica genus vegetables in the diet, is a weaker inhibitor of sodium/iodide symporter. Environmental perchlorate and thiocyanate exposures during pregnancy could potentially decrease thyroidal iodine uptake in the mother and/or her fetus and thus decrease thyroid hormone synthesis. The objective of this study was to assess the status of low-level environmental urinary perchlorate and thiocyanate exposures in a cohort of pregnant women in Toronto, Canada. We recruited pregnant women presenting for routine care from among four low-risk outpatient obstetric clinics between December 2009 to February 2011 at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada. Women with a history of thyroid disease were excluded. Women completed a questionnaire to provide information regarding their age, gestational age, race/ethnicity, country of origin, highest level of education, income level, cigarette smoking status, and use of prenatal and/or multivitamins before and during pregnancy. Women also completed a food frequency questionnaire to provide information on their dietary iodine intake, including use of iodized salt. Subjects provided a single-spot urine sample, from which perchlorate and thiocyanate concentrations were measured using ion chromatography–mass spectrometry (1). The Mount Sinai Hospital Ethics Board approved the protocol. Our study cohort consisted of 150 women (mean age 33.8±4.4 years) in their second and third trimesters (mean gestational age 29±7.9 weeks) who were primarily Caucasian (73%), well educated (96% more than a high school education), and relatively affluent (64% with median annual income >$100,000). The median urinary perchlorate concentration was 3.2 μg/L (range 0.5–48.1 μg/L), and the median urinary thiocyanate concentration was 351 μg/L (range 28–1195 μg/L). These pregnant women were iodine sufficient (median urinary iodine concentration 227.1 μg/L) (2). This is the first report describing population urinary perchlorate and thiocyanate concentrations in Canada. In 2005, Backus and colleagues (3) had reported perchlorate levels ranging from nondetectable to 0.33 μg/L in water samples from 55 Canadian areas, including sites of heavy industry, urbanization, agriculture, atmospheric deposition, and recent fireworks displays. The potential effects of perchlorate exposure on human health remain controversial, and its monitoring and cleanup would carry significant financial costs. Currently, Health Canada (4) continues to monitor perchlorate levels in drinking water, in which a recommended threshold of <6 μg/L is in place, but not enforced. There are no regulations for thiocyanate currently in place. There are currently no normative ranges for urinary perchlorate and thiocyanate concentrations. However, the low levels of both perchlorate and thiocyanate in the present study are comparable to those previously reported in iodine-deficient and iodine-sufficient pregnant women from Wales (5), Italy (5), Argentina (6), Greece (7), and the United States (6). There was no association between urinary perchlorate levels and maternal thyroid function in these previous studies, in contrast to a decrease in serum thyroxine concentrations in women with urinary iodine levels <100 μg/L from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (8). The limitations of our study included the use of a convenience sample in our subject selection, the potential nongeneralizability of the findings to other regions, and the absence of serum thyroid function tests. The results of the present study suggest that the low urinary perchlorate concentrations in Canada would be unlikely to alter the thyroid function of pregnant women or their fetuses, especially in iodine-sufficient regions, although further studies are warranted to better explore these relationships.

Red blood cell folate levels in pregnant women with a history of mood disorders: A case series

Maternal folate supplementation reduces offspring risk for neural tube defects (NTDs) and other congenital abnormalities. Maternal red blood cell (RBC) folate concentrations of >906 nmol/L have been associated with the lowest risk of having a neural tube defect affected pregnancy. Mood disorders (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder) are common among women and can be associated with folate deficiency. Thus, pregnant women with histories of mood disorders may be prone to RBC folate levels insufficient to provide optimal protection against neural tube defects. Although previous studies have assessed RBC folate concentrations in pregnant women from the general population, none have looked specifically at a group of pregnant women who have a history of a mood disorder. We collected data about RBC folate concentrations and folic acid supplement intake during early pregnancy (<161 days gestation) from n = 24 women with histories of mood disorders. We also collected information about offspring congenital abnormalities and birth weight. Among women with histories of mood disorders, the mean RBC folate concentration was 674 nmol/L (range, 362-1105 nmol/L). Only 12.5% (n = 3) of the women had RBC folate concentrations >906 nmol/L, despite all participants reporting current daily use of folic acid supplements. Data regarding offspring were available for 22 women: birth weights ranged from 2296 g to 4819 g, and congenital abnormalities were identified in two (hypoplastic left heart, annular pancreas). Data from this exploratory case series suggest a need for future larger scale controlled studies investigating RBC folate concentrations in early pregnancy and offspring outcomes among women with and without histories of mood disorders.

Serum silicon concentrations in pregnant women and newborn babies

Earlier studies in animals have suggested an essential role for Si in connective tissues, but such works have not been replicated per se. Nonetheless, a study conducted in 2000 has reported that Si may be essential during pregnancy for the growing fetus, since serum Si concentrations in infants were approximately 300% higher than those in older children and adults and serum Si concentrations in pregnant women were approximately 300% lower than those in age-matched non-pregnant controls. To reproduce these potentially important findings, in the present study, serum Si concentrations were measured in fourteen pregnant women (15-24 weeks of gestation) and compared with those of seventeen non-pregnant, non-lactating female controls. Serum Si concentrations were also measured in fourteen full-term mothers at the time of delivery and in the umbilical cord (UC) vein and artery where possible. Fasting serum Si concentrations in pregnant women were not significantly different from those of the female controls and showed little change with advancing gestation (r 0·2). Mean serum Si concentrations in the UC vein samples were 52% higher, while those in the UC artery samples were 235% higher than those in the maternal forearm vein samples, although data were widely spread and differences were not significant. Mean maternal forearm vein Si concentrations at delivery were 50% lower than those of pregnant women and female controls, but, again, these were not significant. Overall, we note that there are significant analytical challenges in comparing baseline Si levels between different groups; notwithstanding, our findings cannot confirm a reduction in fasting serum Si levels during pregnancy, but, equally, we cannot rule out higher serum Si levels in newborns than in their mothers, and further work is required.