Vitamin B6 status in pregnancy

Abstract

The vitamin B₆ status of 493 pregnant women was investigated by means of the erythrocyte glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (EGOT) activation test. Of the 458 women with uncomplicated pregnancies, 40 to 60% were found to be suboptimally supplied with vitamin B₆ in order to saturate EGOT in comparison with a group of over 300 male and female blood donors. Mothers of higher gravidity were slightly more deficient with respect to enzyme saturation than those of lower gravidity. In the whole group there was otherwise no correlation between vitamin B₆ status and various clinical parameters during pregnancy and delivery. Nevertheless, if one assumes that a good maternal vitamin B₆ status is of value to the offspring, it is suggested that pyridoxine supplementation is necessary in 50% of the pregnant women in order to maintain normal coenzyme saturation of the enzymes tested.