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Maternal periconceptional biochemical and hematological parameters, vitamin profiles and pregnancy outcome

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 57, pages 1128–1134 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate periconceptional maternal biochemical and hematological parameters and vitamin profiles in relation to the risk of early pregnancy loss and birth weight.

Design: Prospective longitudinal study.

Setting: University Medical Centre Nijmegen, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Maria and Elisabeth Hospitals, Tilburg, and Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.

Subjects: A cohort of 240 women recruited before pregnancy.

Interventions: Blood samples were taken preconceptional and at 6 and 10 weeks amenorrhea in which the concentrations of hemoglobin, hematocrit, creatinin, uric acid, total protein, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity, ferritin, and the concentrations of retinol, tocopherol, thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxal-5′-phosphate, cobalamin and folate were analyzed.

Main outcome measures: Risk of early pregnancy loss and birth weight.

Results: The risk of early pregnancy loss increased with increasing prepregnancy weight, and when the periconceptional decline in hematocrit, creatinin and uric acid was less profound (slope: P<0.01). Maternal smoking was negatively associated with birth weight (mean reduction of 183 g, P<0.05). Maternal age and prepregnancy weight were positively associated with birth weight (P<0.01). No significant associations were found between vitamin concentrations and risk of early pregnancy loss or birth weight.

Conclusions: Several periconceptional biochemical parameters are significantly associated with early pregnancy loss. The effects of maternal periconceptional health on embryonic development and subsequent pregnancy outcome should be further explored.

Sponsorship: Dutch Prevention fund, grants no. 28.1358 and 28.1006.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Mr W Lemmens for his assistance in programming, Mrs N Hamelvan Bruggen, Mrs E van de Laak-Schellekens, Mrs W Mathijssen, and Mrs A van de Hurk, research nurses, for the collection of data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    S de Weerd, R P M Steegers-Theunissen & E A P Steegers

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    S de Weerd, R P M Steegers-Theunissen & C M G Thomas

  3. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    R P M Steegers-Theunissen & T M de Boo

  4. Department of Chemical Endocrinology, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    C M G Thomas

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  1. S de Weerd
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  2. R P M Steegers-Theunissen
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  3. T M de Boo
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  4. C M G Thomas
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Contributions

Guarantor: EAP Steegers.

Contributors: S de W studied the literature, interpreted the data and wrote the report with contributions from all authors. RPM S-T was responsible for recruitment of women, and designed the study together with EAPS TM de B designed the statistical model and carried out the analyses. CMGT developed most of the vitamin assays and takes full responsibility for the accuracy of laboratory measurements and data integrity.

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Correspondence to E A P Steegers.

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de Weerd, S., Steegers-Theunissen, R., de Boo, T. et al. Maternal periconceptional biochemical and hematological parameters, vitamin profiles and pregnancy outcome. Eur J Clin Nutr 57, 1128–1134 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601654

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