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- Barón María Adela 1
- Peña Evelyn 1
- Sánchez Armando 1
- Solano Liseti 1
Resumen:
El embarazo está asociado con una disminución de las reservas corporales de ácido fólico, lo que puede llevar a deficiencia, especialmente en mujeres de bajo nivel socioeconómico. El propósito del estudio fue evaluar el estado de ácido fólico en el primer trimestre del embarazo. Se trata de una investigación transversal, descriptiva, de 214 embarazadas adolescentes y adultas del Estado Carabobo (1997). Se determinó ácido fólico sérico y eritrocitario por radioensayo. Se calcularon estadísticos descriptivos, chi-cuadrado y prueba 't". Para el ácido fólico sérico se consideró balance negativo o deficiente, niveles menores a 3 ng/ml, y riesgo de deficiencia entre 3-6 ng/mI. El ácido fólico eritrocitario fue deficiente si el nivel era menor a 140 ng/ml y en riesgo entre 140 a 160 ng/mI. El 61,7% eran adolescentes y 38,3% adultas. El promedio para ácido fólico sérico fue 12,1±9,0 ng/ml, con 4,2% de embarazadas en balance negativo y 21,0% a riesgo. Para ácido fólico eritrocitario el promedio fue 375,6±186,3 ng/ml, con 7,6% de deficiencia y 3,8% de riesgo. De las adolescentes, 2,3% tenía deficiencia de folato y 13,6% estaban a riesgo, mientras que en las adultas, un 1,9% tenía deficiencia y 7,5% estaba a riesgo. No hubo diferencias significativas (p>0,05) en la prevalencia de alteraciones de folatos entre adolescentes y adultas. El grupo estudiado presentó déficit subclínico, lo cual antes o en el primer trimestre de embarazo es de suma importancia ya que podría alterar el crecimiento celular incrementando el riesgo de defectos del tubo neural. An Venez Nutr 2002; 15 2:87-93.
Palabras clave: Acido fólico, embarazo, anemia, adolescentes, adultas, deficiencia de ácido fólico.
Folic acid in pregnant adolescents and adults in the first trimester of pregnancy
Abstract:
Pregnancy is associated with a decrease of the body reserves of folic acid, which could lead to deficiency; especially in women of low socioeconomic level. This study was aimed to evaluate folic acid status in the first trimester of pregnancy. A cross - sectional descriptive study of 214 pregnant adolescents and adults from Carabobo state in 1997 was designed. Serum and erythrocyte folic acid was measured by radioassay. Statistical analysis included descriptive, chi-square and "t" test. Serum folic acid was considered in negative balance or deficient when it was below 3 ng/ml and at risk of deficiency between 3 and 6 ng/mI. Erythrocyte folic acid was deficient when levels were below 140 ng/ml and at risk when levels were between 140 to 160 ng/mI. 61.7% of the pregnant women were adolescents and 38.3% adults. Mean serum folic acid was 12.1±9.0 ng/ml, and 4.2% of pregnants were in negative balance and 21.0% at risk. For erythrocyte folic acid, the mean was 375.6 ±186.3 ng/ml, and 7.6% of women were deficiencty and 3.8% at risk. According to age, 2.3% of adolescents had folate depletion and 13.6% were at risk, while 1.9% of adults were folate depleted and 7.5% at risk. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) between adolescents and adult pregnants. Even though folate levels were within normal range, an important proportion of subclinical deficiency was present. This situation in the first trimester of pregnancy is relevant due to the increased risk for fetal cellular growth and consequent neural tube alterations. An Venez Nutr 2002; 15 2:87-93.
Key words: Folic acid, pregnancy, anemia, adolescents, adults, folic acid deficiency.
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