Open AccessPlasma and Red Cell Folate in Mothers and Infants in Normal Pregnancies
Author(s) -
Ek Johan
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016348209156944
Subject(s) - red cell , medicine , pregnancy , erythropoiesis , folic acid , red blood cell , gestation , physiology , obstetrics , anemia , endocrinology , biology , genetics
. Plasma and red blood cell folate concentrations ( L. casei ‐activity) have been studied at term in 166 infants born after normal pregnancies, and in 139 of their mothers. Iron (but not folic acid) supplementation was given during pregnancy. The mothers did not develop folate deficiency during pregnancy as judged from their plasma and red blood cell folate concentrations and peripheral red blood cell pictures. A positive correlation was observed between the red cell folate concentrations in the mothers and the birth weights of the infants (r = 0.18, n = 136, p<0.05). A positive correlation was also observed between the red cell folate concentrations of the infants and the birth weights and lengths (r = 0.16, n = 147, p<0.05 and r = 0.22, n = 147, p<0.01, respectively). The present evidence is insufficient to settle whether these correlations are causal. Hematological parameters in the mothers were correlated to those of the infants. The results suggest a relationship between the maternal and infant erythropoiesis.