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[Lactation--a risk factor for elevated plasma homocysteine?].

Cecilia Høst Ramlau-Hansen1, Ulla Kristine Møller, Jan Møller

  • 1Aarhus Universitet, Den Sundhedsfaglige Supplerings- og Kandidatuddannelse, Arhus Universitetshospital, Skejby Sygehus, Klinisk Biokemisk Afdeling, og Alborg Sygehus, Arbejdsmedicinsk Klinik. chr@suppsun.au.dk

Ugeskrift for Laeger
|August 2, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Breastfeeding mothers not taking folic acid supplements show higher plasma homocysteine levels, indicating a negative folate balance. This elevated homocysteine is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

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Area of Science:

  • Nutritional biochemistry
  • Maternal health
  • Cardiovascular disease risk factors

Background:

  • Breastfeeding increases folate requirements, potentially leading to negative folate balance.
  • Elevated plasma total homocysteine (P-tHcy) is a marker for B vitamin deficiency and a cardiovascular disease risk factor.
  • Folate status is crucial during lactation for both mother and infant health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate P-tHcy levels in breastfeeding mothers.
  • To compare P-tHcy in breastfeeding mothers with and without folic acid supplementation.
  • To compare P-tHcy in breastfeeding mothers to a non-pregnant, non-lactating background population.

Main Methods:

  • Plasma homocysteine and erythrocyte folate levels were measured in 20 breastfeeding mothers.

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  • Half of the breastfeeding mothers received folic acid supplements.
  • A comparison was made with an age-matched background population from a previous Danish study.

    • Main Results:

    • Breastfeeding mothers not taking folic acid supplements had a 70% prevalence of elevated P-tHcy.
    • Breastfeeding mothers taking folic acid supplements had a 30% prevalence of elevated P-tHcy.
    • A statistically significant difference in P-tHcy was found between non-supplemented breastfeeding mothers and the background population (33%).

    Conclusions:

    • A significant proportion of Danish breastfeeding mothers may be in negative folate balance.
    • Elevated P-tHcy in non-supplemented breastfeeding mothers suggests inadequate folate status.
    • Folic acid supplementation may be important for maintaining adequate folate status during breastfeeding.