Proteins, vitamin A, carotene, folacin, ferritin and zinc in Navajo maternal and cord blood.

Blood samples were obtained from 28 Navajo women at delivery and cord blood samples were collected from their healthy, full-term infants. The concentrations of retinol, folacin, ferritin and zinc in the cord blood fell in the normal range even though some mothers had blood levels suggesting a deficiency. Levels of maternal and cord blood retinol-binding protein were positively correlated. Although marginal and deficient levels of folacin in maternal blood did not result in significantly lower cord blood levels, the strong association indicated a dependence of fetal level upon maternal supply. Birth weight and the developmental indices were not related to any of the maternal or fetal nutrient levels.