Micronutrients in Pregnancy
Folate: Is a water soluble vitamin present in leafy green vegetables, yeast extract and citrus fruits .Folate is involved in aminoacid metobolism,protein syntesis,cell multiplication,making it particularly important during embrionic and fetal stages of pregnancy where there is rapid cell division and tissue growth.Folat deficiency results in the accumulation of homocysteine,which can increase the risk of adverse outcomes including preeclampsia and fetal anomalies.Supplementation with folic acid during preconception and early pregnancy is critical and can prevent % 40-80 of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.An intake of 400 microgram /day of folic acid is recommended for all reproductive age women from at least one month before conception until at least 12 weeks gestation.Higher doses 4 mg / day are recommended for women at high risk history of neural tube defects , diabetes, and anticonvulsant medication use.
Vit A: This is fat soluable vitamin which are obtained from animal sources including eggs,dairy, liver and fish liver oil.Physical functions of vitamin A include vision, growth, bone metabolism, immune function, gene transcription as well as antioxidant activities.Retinol is associated with teratogenic effects it musnt be use in pregnancy . Current evidence does not support the use of vitamin A supplementation for improving pregnancy.
Vit B1,B2,B3,B6and B12 They are all water soluble vitamins required for the production and release of energy in cells and for the metabolism of protein,fat and carbohydrates . These vitamins act as coenzymes in several intermadiary metabolic pathways for energy generation and blood cell formation.Vit B12 is especially very important for metilation.
B complex vitamins are obtained primarily from animal sources including meat, fish,and diary products and also be found in fortified cereals,legumes and leafy green vegetables.
B1 vitamin deficiency may impair fetal brain development .Deficiences in B2 and B3 have been correlated with preeclampsia, congenital heart defects and low birth weight infants. Similarly , increased periconceptional intakes of B1, B3, and B6 heve been correlated with decreased nausea and reduced orofacial cleft .
Low vitamin B 12 level can lead to increased homocystein concentrations,with subsequent adverse outcomes including placental abruption,stillbirths , low birht weight babies and preterm delivery. Like folate, B 12 deficiency has also been linked with incresed risk of neural tube defects including sipina bifida .