Biotin Deficiency In Pregnancy

Biotin deficiency in experimental animals is teratogenic, and a number of the resultant birth defects resemble human birth defects. Up to half of pregnant women have elevated excretion of 3-hydroxy-isovaleric acid (Section 11.4), which responds to supplements of biotin, in the first trimester, suggesting that marginal stams may be common in early pregnancy and may be a factor in the etiology of some birth defects. This may be the result of increased catabolism of biotin as a result of steroid induction of biotin catabolic enzymes there is increased excretion of bisnorbiotin and biotin sulfoxide (Zempleni and Mock, 2000a Mock et al., 2002). 

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Description. Also known as vitamin Bg or H, this vitamin is of great importance for the biochemistry of the human organism. Biotin is the cofactor for a small group of enzymes that catalyze carboxyla-tion, decarboxylation, and transcarboxylation reactions in carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism. Deficiency of this vitamin is rare in humans, but can be induced in special circumstances in individuals with inborn errors of biotin metabolism, in individuals taking certain medications, and in some women during pregnancy. ... 

Mock, D.M., 2009. Marginal biotin deficiency is common in normal human pregnancy and is highly teratogenic in mice. The Journal of Nutrition. 139 154 157. 

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