Maternal micronutrient status and its association with sociodemographic, maternal, and dietary factors in a cross-sectional study

Aim Maternal serum micronutrient status can have a significant impact on short- and long-term outcomes for mother and offspring. The aim of this study was to examine the associations of maternal serum folate, ferritin, and vitamin B-12 status with maternal and dietary factors. Methods This observational cross-sectional study was carried out with 165 healthy pregnant women at least 18 years of age with a singleton pregnancy. Maternal nutrient intake was determined by 24-hour dietary recall method and supplement records. Multivariable analyses using stepwise linear regression models were performed to associations of dietary intakes and maternal serum status. Results There was a difference between the lowest and highest quartile of maternal serum folate, ferritin, and vitamin B-12 status and maternal characteristics and dietary, and total intakes of nutrients (p < 0.05). Multivariable stepwise linear regression analysis showed the predictors of serum folate status were dietary folate equivalent, dietary folate, total vitamin B-6 and iron intake. Primer predictors of serum ferritin and vitamin B-12 status were dietary protein intake (p < 0.05). Conclusion Our findings support existing recommendations that folic acid supplementation should be prescribed to achieve optimal serum folate status during pregnancy. However, dietary protein intake is important to provide optimal maternal serum vitamin B-12 and ferritin status.