Nutritional assessment of pregnant and lactating Navajo women

Nutritional parameters of 87 Navajo women were assessed at term and in 23 of these women after 1 month of lactation. Serum levels of zinc, retinol-binding protein, folacin, protein, Hb, and ferritin and hair zinc content were determined. Twenty-four-hour dietary recalls were recorded for the subsample of 23 women. Median nutrient intakes were less than 60% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance of calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, vitamins A (lactation only), D, E, and B6, biotin, and folacin. Serum zinc fell below 50 microgram/dl in 68% of the subsample at term and remained below 65 microgram/dl 43% during lactation. Serum retinol was below normal ( less than 33 microgram/dl) in 24% of these women at term and 23% at 1 month. Low serum folacin (less than 6 ng/ml) was detected in 9% at term and 24% at 1 month. Anemia was present in 15 to 20% of the women. Serum protein, retinol-binding protein, ferritin, and hair zinc were essentially normal. Biochemical findings confirmed dietary inadequacies among Navajo women and indicate needed nutritional improvement.