Pregnancy vitamin

In general, maternal stores of vitamin B 2 are considered adequate to meet the demands of pregnancy. 

Vitamin C requirements are increased during pregnancy and lactation, in patients undergoing hemodialysis and in smokers. Seniors often have suboptimal intakes. 

The bile acid sequestrants are contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drugs. Bile acid sequestrants are also contraindicated in those with complete biliary obstruction. These drags are used cautiously in patients with a history of liver or kidney disease Bile acid sequestrants are used cautiously during pregnancy (Pregnancy Category C) and lactation (decreased absorption of vitamins may affect the infant). 

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. 

In historical terms, folates are among the most recently identified of the vitamins. Wills was the first to describe a form of anaemia associated with pregnancy and malnutrition which could be cured by yeast or liver extract (Wills, 1933 Wills et al, 1937). The active constituent of these dietary... 

There is very little evidence relating to the role of ROMs in cholestatic liver disease. Serum selenium and glutathione peroxidase activity are decreased in humans with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (Kauppila et al., 1987). Low levels of vitamin E have been reported in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, and in children with Alagille s syndrome or biliary atresia (Knight et al., 1986 Jeffrey etal., 1987 Lemonnier etal., 1987 Babin etal., 1988 Kaplan et al., 1988 Sokol etal., 1989). Serum levels of Mn-SOD are increased in patients with all stages of primary biliary cirrhosis compared with patients with other forms of chronic liver disease, although whether this causes or results from the disease process is unclear (Ono etal., 1991). 

Administer supplemental vitamin K during the eighth month of pregnancy to women receiving enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs... 

B2. Baker, H., Erdberg, R., Pasher, I., and Sobotka, H., Study of folic acid and vitamin B12 in blood and mine during normal pregnancy. Proc. Soc. Exptl. Biol. Med. 94, 513-515 (1957). 

Dl. Dalderup, L. M, Atherosclerosis and toxemia of pregnancy in relation to nutrition and other physiological factors. Vitamins and Hormones 17, 223-306 (1959). 

PI. Page, E. W., The vitamin B0 requirement for normal pregnancy. Western J. Surg. Obstet. Gynecol. 64, 96-103 (1956). 

The RDl for vitamin D is 5 micrograms/day for men and women, adults and children, a value independent of state of pregnancy or lactation. Middle-aged adults, ages 50-70 years old, require 10 micrograms/day and for those over 70 years old the valne goes np to 15 micrograms/day. Fish oils, the flesh of fatty fish, and fortified milk and cereals are excellent sources of vitamin D. Of course, vitamin D is also present in most multivitamin piUs. 

Riboflavin is also known as vitamin B2. It contains a complex isoalloxazine ring that humans are unable to synthesize. The complex ring is hooked onto a live-carbon sugar derivative, ribitol, closely related to the ribose that occurs in RNA. The RDA for adult males is 1.3 mg/day and for adult females 1.1 mg/day. Values decrease with increasing age but increase in pregnancy and lactation. Organ meats, milk, bread products, and fortified cereals are substantial sources of riboflavin. 

The advice on vitamins for the general population is that supplementation is unnecessary for a normal diet. However, vitamin deficiency can occur in the elderly (due to poor nutrition, and lack of sunlight) the very young, the malnourished, when food absorption problems exist or when there is an exceptional demand as in pregnancy. Some of the general points about vitamins are ... 

Q80 During pregnancy, diet should consist of foods rich in starch, vitamins and minerals. During pregnancy, food containing sugars, fats and refined carbohydrates should be limited. 

High concentrations of vitamin A in pregnancy tend to be teratogenic leading to birth defects. Hence vitamin A is contraindicated in pregnancy. 

During pregnancy, a well-balanced diet consisting of starch, fibre, vitamins and minerals is essential. Foods rich in sugar, fats and refined carbohydrates must be limited. 

Folic acid (vitamin Bg) is a conjugate of a pteridine unit, p-aminobenzoic acid, and glutamic acid. Deficiency of folic acid leads to anaemia, and it is also standard practice to provide supplementation during pregnancy to reduce the incidence of spina bifida. 

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