Pregnancy deficiency

Deficiency of vitamin C due to a citrus-poor diet during pregnancy Hypervltaminosis A due to Ingestion of beef liver during pregnancy Deficiency of vitamin K because infant Intestines are sterile Deficiency of vitamin K because of disseminated Intravascular coagulation (disseminated clotting due to Infantile sepsis)... 

In mild and moderate iodine deficiency, endemic cretinism is not observed. However, in a population there is a certain spread of iodine intake, and women at the lower end of the range of iodine intake may still be at risk of insufficient iodine intake during pregnancy. Deficiency of other nutrients and intake of goitrogens from food or from tobacco smoking may increase the risk. 

Antibodies have been generated which produce immunoassays that discriminate between GH-V and GH-N. These assay systems have shown that the secretion of GH-V becomes elevated at about three weeks of pregnancy and increases to approximately 15 ng/mL near term (8). The physiological role of GH-V is uncertain. Genetic deficiency of GH-V does not adversely affect pregnancy or fetal development (9). GH-V is a potent growth-stimulator but possesses considerably less lactogenic activity than GH-N (10). There are no clinical appHcations (ca 1993) for GH-V. 

Thus, our attention should shift from the concern of potential adverse effects to the health benefits imparted by hormonal contraceptives. The use of oral contraceptives for at least 12 months reduces the risk of developing endometrial cancer by 50%. Furthermore, the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer in users of oral contraceptives is reduced by 40% compared with that on nonusers. This kind of protection is already seen after as little as 3-6 months of use. Oral contraceptives also decrease the incidence of ovarian cysts and fibrocystic breast disease. They reduce menstrual blood loss and thus the incidence of iron-deficiency anemia. A decreased incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancies has been reported as well as an ameliorating effect on the clinical course of endometriosis. 

Taking the contraceptive hormones provides health benefits not related to contraception, such as regulating the menstrual cycle and decreased blood loss, and incidence of iron deficiency anemia, and dysmenorrhea Health benefits related to the inhibition of ovulation include a decrease in ovarian cysts and ectopic pregnancies. hi addition, there is a decrease in fibrocyctic breast disease, acute pelvic inflammatory disease endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, maintenance of bone density, and symptoms related to endometriosis in women taking contraceptive hormones. Newer combination contraceptives such as norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol... 

Lactose Milk. May occur in urine during pregnancy. In lactase deficiency, malabsorption leads to diarrhea and flatulence. 

A knowledge of normal metabohsm is essential for an understanding of abnormalities underlying disease. Normal metabolism includes adaptation to periods of starvation, exercise, pregnancy, and lactation. Abnormal metabolism may result from nutritional deficiency, enzyme deficiency, abnormal secretion of hormones, or the actions of drugs and toxins. An important example of a metabolic disease is diabetes mellitus. 

Treem WR et al Acute fatty liver of pregnancy and long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency. Hepatology 1994 19 339. 

In the vitamin D deficiency disease rickets, the bones of children are undermineralized as a result of poor absorption of calcium. Similar problems occur in adolescents who are deficient during their growth spurt. Osteomalacia in adults results from demineralization of bone in women who have little exposure to sunlight, often after several pregnancies. Although vitamin D is essential for prevention and treatment of osteomalacia in the elderly, there is little evidence that it is beneficial in treating osteoporosis. 

Attention to iron metabolism is particularly important in women for the reason mentioned above. Additionally, in pregnancy, allowances must be made for the growing fetus. Older people with poor dietary habits ( tea and toasters ) may develop iron deficiency. Iron deficiency anemia due to inadequate intake, inadequate utilization, or excessive loss of iron is one of the most prevalent conditions seen in medical practice. 

Deficiency of folic acid Decreased intake, defective absorption, or increased demand (eg, in pregnancy) for folate... 

Nineteen women underwent amniocentesis for the determination of fetal sex. Several different X-llnked abnormalities constituted the Indications for this procedure, and these Included hemophilia A, hemophilia B, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, optic albinism, X-llnked mental retardation, the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (due to dlflclency of hypoxanthlne-guanlne phosphorlbosyltransferase, and Fabry s disease (due to deficiency of an a-galact-osldase). Fourteen of the fetuses were male. Including one which turned out to be a set of twins, and most of the male pregnancies were terminated. The sex determination being carried out for Fabry s disease Is of particular Interest, since In this case It was desired to find out whether the fetus was a female. 

Restless-legs syndrome occurs in 5% to 15% of the population, making it a common sleep disorder.11,12 The prevalence of RLS increases with age and in various medical conditions such as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), pregnancy, and iron deficiency.13 RLS appears to be more common in women than in men and has a genetic link. The majority of RLS patients (63% to 92%) report a positive family history.14... 

Elder bark is contraindicated during pregnancy and for people with a yin-deficient condition (lacking moisture). For others it should only be used with great caution. 

Necheles et al. (N4) first reported a genetically determined homozygous GSH-Px deficiency associated with neonatal jaundice and mild hemolysis. Spontaneous recovery from hemolysis was noted 3 months after birth. Thereafter, several cases with GSH-Px deficiency were reported. Newborn infants exhibit significantly lower red blood cell GSH-Px activity and serum selenium concentrations than adult control subjects, and a significantly positive correlation between selenium concentration and GSH-Px activity has been observed. Furthermore, the addition of selenium stimulates, both in vivo and in vitro, the GSH-Px activity. The neonatal red blood cell GSH-Px deficiency may be partially due to insufficient availability of selenium during pregnancy (P9). Therefore, the diagnosis of GSH-Px deficiency in newborn infants must be made carefully. 

P9. Perona, G., Guidi, G. C., Piga, A., Cellerino, R., Milani, G., Colautti, P., Moschini, G., and Stievano, B. M Neonatal erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase deficiency as a consequence of selenium imbalance during pregnancy. Br. J. Haematol. 42,567-574 (1979). 

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a pattern of birth defects caused by maternal consumption of ethanol during pregnancy. It is recognized by growth deficiency, a characteristic set of craniofacial features and neurodevelopmental abnormalities leading to cognitive and behavioral deficits [85]. FAS is considered to be the most common non-hereditary cause of mental retardation. 

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