Vitamin B1 status in pregnancy

Abstract

The vitamin B₁ status of 599 pregnant women was investigated by means of the erythrocyte transketolase-activation test. No correlation between the vitamin B₁ status and the course or outcome of pregnancy could be demonstrated. In contrast, 25–30% were found to be thiamin-depleted in respect of erythrocyte transketolase saturation in comparison with a group of over 300 male and female blood donors. This proportion remained constant throughout gestation. As a consequence, vitamin B₁ supplementation is recommended to prevent subclinical metabolic disturbances of thiamin-dependent enzyme systems.