TRACE MINERAL NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF RURAL PREGNANT WOMEN IN NALGONDA DISTRICT
Loading...
Date
2007
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ACHARYA N.G. RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, RAJENDRANAGAR, HYDERABAD
Abstract
Pregnancy is characterized by physiologic and metabolic changes which alter
maternal biochemical and hematological parameters resulting in an increase or decrease
over the normal non-pregnant values. During pregnancy the demand for vitamins and
micronutrients particularly trace elements like iron, zinc and magnesium etc are also
increased. The demand for iron is increased by the mother’s need to expand red-cell mass
and zinc is increased for normal growth and development of tissues, hormonal and
enzymatic action and activity of cells and magnesium is essential as it participates in 300
enzymatic reactions in the body. In view of the importance of trace minerals such as zinc
and magnesium in addition to iron during pregnancy, this study is proposed to assess the
selected trace mineral nutritional status of rural pregnant women with the following
objectives.
a) To collect food and nutrient intake of pregnant women and assess the relationship
between selected trace element nutritional status and food mineral contents.
b) To assess zinc, iron and magnesium status in rural pregnant women of Nalgonda
district at the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
The study was carried out in two mandal head quarters of Nalgonda district i.e. Aler
and Bhongir. A total of 50 pregnant women who were in the 2nd trimester of
pregnancy were selected for the study. Dietary intake of pregnant women was
assessed by 24hr dietary recall method. Anthropometric data was also collected.
Blood samples were collected and maternal mineral levels in serum were assessed by
atomic absorption spectophotometry, during 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy.
Food intake data of the subjects revealed a low intake of all foods except
vegetables including roots and tubers. The subject’s cereal intake was 58.0% of RDA,
pulses intake was 44.3% of RDA, fat intake was 65.3% of RDA; vegetables including
roots and tubers were 175.5% and green leafy vegetables were 7.5% of RDA; Fruits
intake was minimum; milk and milk products intake was 44.5% of RDA and sugar
and jaggery intake was 26.0% of RDA. The subjects consumed egg or fleshy foods of
about 50-60gm/week (usually on Sundays).
Nutrient intake of the subjects was also not met adequately when compared with
RDA values. Energy intake of the subjects was 61.6% of RDA; protein intake of the
subjects was 48.4% of RDA; Intake of fat including visible and invisible fat from all
food sources was 96.6% of RDA. However the intake of iron and zinc was low
compared with RDA i.e., 12.3% and 27.7% of RDA; and magnesium intake was
76.6% of RDA.
The mean serum iron levels were 89.1μg/dl in 2nd trimester of pregnancy and
70.3μg/dl in 3rd trimester of pregnancy which was lower than that of serum iron levels
of normal women. The values of serum iron were low which may be because of low
dietary intake and not taking iron folic acid supplements provided by the hospital
because of reasons like nausea and vomiting and lack of knowledge regarding the
importance of supplementation during pregnancy.
The mean serum zinc values in 2nd trimester and 3rd trimester of pregnancy were
60.2μg/dl and 46.2μg/dl. The mean serum magnesium values were 2.92meq/l and
2.97meq/l in 2nd and 3rd trimesters respectively.
From the above findings it can be concluded that food and nutrient intake of the
pregnant women was observed to be low when compared with RDA. There was a
decrease in mean serum iron and zinc levels of the pregnant women in 3rd trimester
when compared to 2nd trimester of pregnancy where as no change was observed in
magnesium levels.
Description
Keywords
TRACE, MINERAL, NUTRITIONAL, STATUS, RURAL, PREGNANT, WOMEN, NALGONDA DISTRICT