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The effect of oral contraceptive therapy and of pregnancy on serum folate levels of rural Sri Lankan women

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 July 2007

Navam S. Hettiarachchy ,
Sachi S. Sri Kantha  and
S. M. X. Corea
Navam S. Hettiarachchy
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry and Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Sachi S. Sri Kantha
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry and Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
S. M. X. Corea
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry and Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
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Abstract

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1. Serum folate level, packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration of apparently healthy rural Sri Lankan women, between 20 and 45 years and earning up to Rs. 500 (Sri Lankan Rs. 35 ⋍ £1 Sterling) per month, were estimated during pregnancy and when on oral contraceptive (OC) treatment with Ovulen 50 (ethinyl oestradiol 0·05 mg,ethinodiol diacetate 1 mg).

2. Ovulen 50 administration led to a fall in serum folate levels which occurred very rapidly during the first 6 months and more slowly thereafter, stabilizing at 2·2 ng/ml in women of very low economic status and at 2·9 ng/ml in the more privileged.

3. There was a steady fall in serum folate concentrations during pregnancy, the levels at the end of pregnancy being higher than those in women under OC treatment for 9 months.

4. The need for folate supplementation during OC treatment is stressed.

Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 50 , Issue 3 , November 1983 , pp. 495 - 501
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1983

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