Otc Pregnancy

OTC Supplements in Pregnancy By Daphne Gima 17th June 2009

Folic Acid  Decreases

-

risks of:

Neural tube defects Preterm delivery Low birth weight Poor fetal growth

Folic Acid (2)  Recommendation:

800mcg daily OR - 5mg daily in those who previously had neural tube defect affected pregnancy/ taking anticonvulsants  4 weeks before & continued for 12 weeks after conception.  Dietary source: Green leafy vegetables -

Iron  Reduces

risk of iron-deficiency & anemia during pregnancy  Maternal anemia associated with infant mortality & premature delivery  Postpartum anemia associated with emotional instability, depression & stress

Iron (2)  Recommendation: -

30 mg ferrous iron daily 200mg Ferrous fumarate contains 65mg elemental iron

 Recommended

in 2nd & 3rd trimester

Vitamin D  Deficiency

→ Decreased intestinal absorption of calcium → Rickets → Fetal bone affected  Double

blind trial involving pregnant Asian women in UK, vitamin D given 1000 IU/day in 3rd trimester: larger fontanelles in placebo group suggesting impaired skull ossification

Iodine  Necessary

due to marked change in thyroid

function.  Decrease risk of cognitive development impairment.  Recommendation: - 150mcg daily  Dietary source: Low fat milk, eggs, iodised salt

Obimin   -

Taken 1 tab daily. Contains: Vit A 6,000 u Vit B1 10 mg Vit B2 2.5 mg Vit B6 15 mg Vit B12 4 mcg Vit C 100 mg Vit D 400 u Niacinamide 20 mg

- Ca pantothenate 7.5 mg - Folic acid 250 mcg - Fe fumarate 90 mg - Ca lactate 250 mg - Copper 0.1 mg - Iodine 0.1 mg - Dimethylpolysiloxane 20 mg

Conclusion  Choosing -

a multivitamin and mineral supplement during pregnancy: Folic Acid Iron Potassium iodide

References 1.

2.

3.

4.

Houghton L. Nutrition & supplements during pregnancy. 2008. Retrieved 6/6/09 from http://www.bpac.org.nz/magazine/2008/december/pregnancy.asp Scholl & Johnson. Folic acid: influence on the outcome of pregnancy. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2000 Brooke et al. Vitamin D supplements in pregnant Asian women: effects on calcium status and fetal growth. Br Med J 1980;280:751-754 (15 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.280.6216.751 MIMS Malaysia, 107th edn, CMPMedica Pacific Ltd, 2006.