Resumen

BARON, María Adela; PENA, Evelyn; SANCHEZ, Armando  y  SOLANO, Liseti. Estado de ácido fólico en embarazadas adolescentes y adultas en el primer trimestre del embarazo. An Venez Nutr [online]. 2002, vol.15, n.2, pp.87-93. ISSN 0798-0752.

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. 

Palabras clave : Folic acid; pregnancy; anemia; adolescents; adults; folic acid deficiency.