Thiamin status during the third trimester of pregnancy and its influence on thiamin concentrations in transition and mature breast milk

Thiamin deficiency remains an important public health problem in some populations. The aim of the present investigation was to study thiamin status during the third trimester of pregnancy and its influence on the concentration of this vitamin in transition (days 13–14 of lactation) and mature breast milk (day 40 of lactation) in a group of Spanish women. The pregnancies and lactation periods of fifty-one healthy women 18–35 (mean 26·7 (SD 3·7)) years old were monitored. Vitamin intake during the third trimester was determined by recording the consumption of foods over 5 d and of the quantities provided by dietary supplements. Thiamin status during this stage of pregnancy was determined by measuring the activation coefficient of erythrocyte transketolase ((alpha)-ETK coefficients (1·01 (SD 0·19)) than did those with lower intakes (group L) (1·21 (SD 0·30); P<0·05). Mature milk thiamin concentrations were significantly higher in group H subjects (0·59 (SD 0·44) (mu)mol/l). Subjects with (mu)mol/l) than did subjects with more satisfactory (mu)mol/l; P<0·05). The thiamin status of women can be improved since 25·5% of subjects took less than that recommended and 13·7% showed signs of severe deficiency ((alpha)ETK coefficients and on mature breast milk thiamin concentration is confirmed.