Incidence of biochemical riboflavin deficiency in Nigerian pregnant women.

The riboflavin status of 25 primigravidae and 55 multigravidae was determined by the erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation test during their first attendance at the antenatal clinic. Fifteen of the women (5 primigravidae and 10 multigravidae) were in the second trimester and 65 in the third trimester of pregnancy (20 primigravidae and 45 multigravidae). Fifteen of the primigravidae (60 per cent) and 44 per cent (24/55) of the multigravidae had an activity coefficient (EGR-AC greater than 1.30) indicative of biochemical riboflavin deficiency. The incidence of riboflavin deficiency among all women in the second trimester of pregnancy was 40 per cent (6/15), and 51 per cent (33/65) for all women in the third trimester of pregnancy. However, no clinical signs accompanied the biochemical deficiency of riboflavin. Riboflavin nutriture was slightly better in the multigravidae than in the primigravidae. The mean EGR-AC was 1.32 for the primigravidae and 1.26 for the multigravidae. The continual use of multivitamins in pregnancy and lactation should be strongly advocated.