ABSTRACT
Mean daily folate intakes of 195 women in the first trimester of pregnancy were assessed by 5-7 day weighed dietary records. Intakes for total folate ranged from 64.7 to 302.0 micrograms/day with a mean intake of 148.0 micrograms/day. The lowest intakes were associated with social classes III, IV and V, maternal age less than 20 years and vomiting on three or more days per week.
Subject(s)
Folic Acid/administration & dosage , Pregnancy , Adolescent , Adult , Erythrocytes/metabolism , Female , Folic Acid/blood , Humans , Maternal Age , Nausea/metabolism , Pregnancy Complications/metabolism , Pregnancy Trimester, First , Smoking , Social Class , Vomiting/metabolismABSTRACT
1. Mean daily nutrient intakes of 195 women in the first trimester of pregnancy were assessed by weighed dietary records. 2. In comparsion with recommended intakes for non-pregnant women aged 18-55 years (Department of Health and Social Security, 1969), more than two-thirds of the subjects were having insufficient energy, iron and cholecalciferol. Unsatisfactory intakes of other nutrients were not uncommon. In relation to recommended intakes for the second trimester (Department of Health and Social Security, 1969), all mothers were having insufficient cholecalciferol and more than 80% of mothers had unsatisfactory intakes of energy and Fe. 3. Intakes appreciably lower than those recommended were associated with the following factors: social classes III, IV and V; maternal age under 20 years; smoking ten or more cigarettes daily; vomiting on more than 3 d/week.
