TRACE MINERAL NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF RURAL PREGNANT WOMEN IN MAHABOOBNAGAR DISTRICT
Loading...
Files
Date
2007
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ACHARYA N.G. RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, RAJENDRANAGAR, HYDERABAD
Abstract
Trace elements so named because of the minute quantities they are
required in, have an important role to play in human health. They are involved in
physiological and biochemical process in the body and are considered essential
for normal human growth and development. It has been postulated that in
adequate intakes of these trace elements especially by individuals under stress
will be of clinical consequence.
Pregnancy is period of great physiological stress and consumption of
required nutrients during this period is of great importance. Recently studies
have addressed the issues of the effect of minerals like magnesium zinc and iron
on prenatal outcome such as low birth weight, which in turn increases the risk for
neonatal mortality, infancy and childhood morbidity etc. Though the potential
role of these minerals in reproduction been reviewed by many researchers,
comprehensive studies including maternal dietary and biochemical assessment of
Indian rural pregnant women in 2nd and 3rd trimesters is scanty. In view of this,
the present study was planned to study the difference between the selected trace
mineral status of pregnant women in 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
The study was carried out in a Government maternity hospital located in
Shadnagar in Mahaboobnagar district. Sixty women who were in 2nd trimester of
pregnancy were selected for the study. A dietary intake of the pregnant women
was assessed by 24 hours recall method. Maternal mineral levels in plasma were
assessed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Butrionovitz and Purdy, 1977)
in 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy of the same subject who were selected for
study.
Except milk and milk products, food intake data revealed a low intake of
all foods. As a result the nutrient intake of the subjects was also not met
adequately when compared with RDA. Energy intake of the subjects was 61%
and protein 55% of RDA. A low intake of iron 18%, zinc 28%, magnesium 79%,
thiamine 75%, riboflavin 60%, niacin 60% and vitamin - C 68% of RDA was
seen.
The mean plasma values of iron levels in 2nd trimester were 158 g/ml
and these values decreased to 98.1 g/ml in 3rd trimester. The mean plasma zinc
levels were 137 g/ml in 2nd trimester and gradually decreased to 93 g/ml in 3rd
trimester. The mean plasma magnesium levels were 2.5meq/lt in 2nd trimester
and dropped to 1.6 meq/lt in 3rd trimester.
Data thus showed that though dietary intake of the trace minerals studied
was lower than RDA and there was a significant decrease in the levels between
2nd and 3rd trimesters, the serum levels of all trace minerals were within normal
range.
Description
Keywords
TRACE, MINERAL, NUTRITIONAL, STATUS, RURAL, PREGNANT, WOMEN, MAHABOOBNAGAR DISTRICT