Assessment of nutritional folate status and selected vitamin status of women of childbearing age.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate folate and other selected vitamin status (ascorbic acid, tocopherol, retinol, vitamin B12), haematological indices and total homocysteine concentration of serum in women of childbearing age.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Warsaw.

SUBJECTS

Healthy women aged 18-30 y (n=78) not pregnant presently or previously, and not taking drugs.

RESULTS

Haemoglobin and haematocrit values according to WHO criteria for 18 to 30-y-old women were normal. The optimal levels of serum tocopherol, >1.29 mg/dl (>29.9 micromol/l) to preventing civilization diseases, were found in 5.5% and serum retinol >71.6 mcg/dl (>2.5 micromol/l) in 6.4% of all studied persons. The analysis of serum folate concentration showed high-risk deficiency,<3 ng/ml (<6.8 nmol/l), in 6.4%, moderate and low risk together (7.0-14.9 nmol/l) in 61.6% and optimal folate levels (>14.9 nmol/l) in 32.0% of the studied group. Folate body stores were insufficient in almost all women. There was no high or moderate deficiency risk of vitamin B12 or ascorbic acid. None of the women under study had serum total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration >15 micromol/l, indicating hyperhomocysteinaemia. Serum total homocysteine concentrations in the range of 5-15 micromol/l were found in 71.8%, and serum tHcy >10 micromol/l in 7.7% of the studied group of women.

SPONSORSHIP

The study was sponsored by the Polish Committee for Scientific Research.