Abstract
Objective: To investigate the changes of some anthropometric measures (weight, body mass index (BMI), mid upper arm circumference and thigh circumference) and serum vitamin B12, folic acid, iron and blood hemoglobin in healthy pregnant women
Design: The study was conducted as a randomized trial.
Setting: The study was done on pregnant women that were recruited from the obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinic of King Abdul Aziz University Hospital and Maternity and Children's Hospital.
Subject: The study comprised of 125 pregnant women, 41 women were in the first, 44 in the second and 40 in the third trimesters. Eighteen non-pregnant women were also recruited and served as controls.
Intervention: No intervention
Main outcome measures : Concentrations of various micronutrients were altered during pregnancy with changes in the mother's physiology and the requirements of the growing fetus.
Results: The data showed the presence of changes in the anthropometric measures, especially during the third trimester as compared to the non-pregnant control. The mean serum vitamin B12 levels were decreased significantly throughout gestation. Mean serum folate levels were decreased during the first and second trimesters of gestation and stabilized somewhat during the third trimester. Mean serum iron levels were decreased non-significantly during the first two trimesters and then slightly raised during the third trimester. The mean blood hemoglobin level was slightly changed throughout gestation.
Conclusion: These findings may indicate the micronutrient status in healthy Saudi women during their normal pregnancies. However, larger studies are required to support this finding.