Pyridoxal phosphate and folic acid concentration in blood and erythrocyte aspartate aminotransferase activity during pregnancy

Abstract The plasma pyridoxal phosphate concentrations and folic acid concentration in packed red blood cells have been studied in 58 women during pregnancy and in their children at birth. The material was divided into three groups receiving no, 2 mg and 10 mg extra pyridoxine per day. The study showed a highly significant relationship between the mean plasma pyridoxal phosphate concentration in mother and child at delivery. Addition of 2 mg extra pyridoxine per day was found insufficient to keep the mean pyridoxal phosphate concentration level constant during pregnancy for which addition of between 2 and 10 mg extra pyridoxine per day was found necessary. It was found necessary to add between 2 and 10 mg extra pyridoxine per day to significantly increase the saturation of aspartate aminotransf erase with pyridoxal phosphate. The mean value of pyridoxal phosphate concentration of the newborn children was significantly increased by 2 mg pyridoxine but no further increase was observed by 10 mg pyridoxine per day. No correlation was found between blood pyridoxal phosphate concentration and folic acid concentration. It is recommended to add 10 mg pyridoxine extra per day during pregnancy.