Dietary, hemoglobin and hematocrit assessment of a group of pregnant women and correlations with infant factors

Includes bibliographical references (pages 74-82)A study was made of 27 pregnant women during their second and/or third trimesters of pregnancy. Nutrient intakes, weight gains, hemoglobin and hematocrit values, and demographic data of the women and sex, weight, length, and Apgar scores of the infants were analyzed and compared.\ud Mean dietary intakes of energy, calcium, iron, thiamine and niacin were less than the RDA but intakes of vitamin A, riboflavin, ascorbic acid and vitamin B12 exceeded the RDA. Forty-four percent of the individuals had multiple low nutrient intakes. Three patients with low hemoglobin values had significantly higher mean iron intakes than patients not considered iron deficient. Birth weight significantly correlated with intake of vitamin B12. Birth length correlated with intake of calcium, vitamin A, thiamine, and riboflavin. Apgar scores at one minute and five minutes correlated negatively with some nutrients. Caucasians reported consuming higher intakes of calories, protein, and niacin than Mexican-Americans and they had higher hemoglobin values. Those who initially visited the clinic in the second trimester had higher hemoglobin values than those-who initially visited in the third trimester Mexican-Americans tended to have heavier infants