Pantothenic acid status of pregnant and lactating women

Pantothenic acid nutritional status was evaluated longitudinally in 26 pregnant women (experimental group) during their third trimester of pregnancy and at 2 weeks and 3 months postpartum. Seventeen nonpregnant and nonlactating women (control group) participated at the same time intervals. All the women were assessed by the intake calculated from a reported 2-day dietary record and by fasted blood, plasma, and 24-hour urinary levels of pantothenate determined by a radioimmunoassay. Estimated daily mean dietary pantothenate intake and the vitamin density for the experimental group were not statistically different from those for the control group. The dietary pantothenate intake averaged 2.75 mg/1,000 kcal. Average pantothenate blood level of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group. No significant difference was found between the two groups in the pantothenate levels of fasting plasma and urinary excretion. When they did not take pantothenic acid supplements, members of the experimental group had intakes less than the Estimated Safe and Adequate Daily Dietary Intake and lower mean blood values than the members of the control group. This suggests that pregnant and lactating women need to consume more pantothenate to maintain a blood vitamin level similar to that of nonpregnant women. This may be achieved by an increased caloric intake, if desirable, or by more careful selection of foods high in the nutrient.