A prospective study of micronutrient status in adolescent pregnancy

Background: Adolescents are more likely than adults to consume energy-dense, micronutrient-poor diets and to experience adverse pregnancy outcomes. Objectives: The objectives were to assess micronutrient intake and blood biomarkers prospectively in pregnant adolescents recruited to the About Teenage Eating (ATE) Study and to determine associations with pregnancy outcome. Design: Pregnant adolescents (n=500) were recruited from 2 UK inner city populations. Dietary intake was assessed with three 24-h dietary recalls, and micronutrient status was assessed by measurement of third trimester blood biomarkers. Pregnancy outcomes included small- for- gestational age (SGA) birth and preterm delivery. Results: Median iron and folate intakes were lower than UK and US recommended amounts. Folate and vitamin B-12 status were lower in smokers, despite no differences in dietary intake. Serum folate was μmol/L) in 20% of subjects. Fifty-two percent of the subjects had iron deficiency anemia, and 30% had serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations