Vitamin D, Folate, Vitamin B12, and Iron Status in Pregnant/Postpartum Old Order Anabaptist Women in Southwestern Ontario
Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
12 August 2024
Abstract
Purpose: To assess vitamin D, folate, vitamin B12, and iron status in Old Order Anabaptist (OOA) pregnant/postpartum women.
Methods: Blood was analyzed for plasma 25 hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D), red blood cell (RBC) folate, serum vitamin B12, and iron status indicators. Dietary intakes (food and supplements) from 3-day estimated records were compared to Dietary Reference Intakes and Canada’s Food Guide (2007).
Results: Fifty women participated in this descriptive cross-sectional study. Concentrations of 25(OH)D were low (<50 nmol/L for 20% and < 75 nmol/L for 63%); 42% had total vitamin D intakes < estimated average requirement (EAR). All women had RBC folate above the 1360 mmol/L cut-off. Nineteen percent had folate intakes <EAR; 80% had folic acid supplement intakes >upper limit. One woman had low serum vitamin B12 (<148 pmol/L); serum vitamin B12 was high (>652 pmol/L) for 24%. None had vitamin B12 intakes <EAR; intakes were high compared to the recommended dietary intake. One woman had low hemoglobin; 13% had ferritin <15 μg/L. Thirteen percent had total iron intake <EAR.
Conclusions: Overall, dietary intake and serum micronutrient status of OOA pregnant and postpartum women in our study were similar to those reported in previous studies of Canadian women. While some women had low intakes of vitamin D and iron, most had high intakes of folate and vitamin B12. These findings provide guidance to ensure appropriate dietary and supplement intakes in this potentially vulnerable and rarely studied population.
Résumé
Objectif. Évaluer le bilan en vitamine D, en folate, en vitamine B12 et en fer de femmes anabaptistes de l’Ancien Ordre (AAO) enceintes ou en post-partum.
Méthodes. Des analyses sanguines ont été effectuées afin d’évaluer les taux de 25-hydroxyvitamine D (25(OH)D) plasmatique, de folate des globules rouges, de vitamine B12 sérique et de fer. Les apports alimentaires (aliments et suppléments) issus d’estimations sur 3 jours ont été comparés aux apports nutritionnels de référence et au Guide alimentaire canadien (2007).
Résultats. Cinquante femmes ont participé à cette étude transversale descriptive. Les concentrations de 25(OH)D étaient faibles (<50 nmol/l pour 20 % et <75 nmol/l pour 63 %); 42 % avaient des apports totaux en vitamine D inférieurs au besoin moyen estimatif (BME). Toutes les femmes avaient un taux de folate dans les globules rouges supérieur au seuil de 1360 mmol/l. Dix-neuf pour cent avaient un apport en folate inférieur au BME; 80 % avaient un apport en suppléments d’acide folique supérieur à la limite supérieure. Une femme avait un taux de vitamine B12 sérique faible (<148 pmol/l); mais le taux de vitamine B12 sérique était élevé (>652 pmol/l) pour 24 % des femmes. Aucune n’avait un apport en vitamine B12 inférieur au BME; les apports étaient élevés comparativement à l’apport alimentaire recommandé. Une femme présentait un taux d’hémoglobine faible; 13 % avaient un taux de ferritine inférieur à 15 μg/l. Treize pour cent avaient un apport total en fer inférieur au BME.
Conclusions. Dans l’ensemble, l’apport alimentaire et l’état nutritionnel en micronutriments sériques des femmes AAO enceintes et en post-partum de notre étude étaient similaires à ceux rapportés dans des études antérieures menées chez des femmes canadiennes. Si certaines femmes avaient un faible apport en vitamine D et en fer, la plupart avaient un apport élevé en folate et en vitamine B12. Ces résultats fournissent une indication pour assurer des apports alimentaires et en suppléments appropriés dans cette population potentiellement vulnérable et rarement étudiée.
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Source of Financial Support: This work was supported by the Canadian Foundation for Dietetic Research.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 85 • Number 3 • September 2024
Pages: 149 - 156
Editor: Naomi Cahill
History
Version of record online: 12 August 2024
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© 2024.
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Janis ARandall SimpsonRD, PhD, NataleeMillerRD, MScFN, TaylorHartwigRD, BASc, JaneLeachRN, BSN, MelissaPurdyRN, MN, NP-PHC, EmilyRothRMW, BHSc, VictoriaMok SiuMD, CynthiaSoulliereRMW, MHSc, JacquiTamRN, BScN, and AnnWattRD, MSc. 2024. Vitamin D, Folate, Vitamin B12, and Iron Status in Pregnant/Postpartum Old Order Anabaptist Women in Southwestern Ontario. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research.
85(3): 149-156. https://doi.org/10.3148/cjdpr-2024-003
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