RESUMO
This paper is being presented as a preliminary survey of two years clinical experience in the Maternity Department of the General Hospital, Port-of-Spain. All the patients are composed of the two main races, East Indian and Negro, or mixed. The importance of protein, vitamin B complex and iron to health is stressed and reasons given for the widespread deficiency of these factors in Trinidad. Moreover these deficiencies are more marked amongst the East Indians. The mixed group have a more balanced diet because they spend a greater proportion of their income on food than the East Indians do. Clinical and sub-clinical evidence of vitamin B and Iron deficiency is less common amongst the mixed group. Both races live in similar surroundings, and under the same climatic conditions, have equal economic circumstances and - what is very important- have approximately the same amount of ante-natal supervision. The incidence of hypertension amongst pregnant women in Port-of-Spain is noted to be higher when compared with a similar group in London, Manchester, Dublin and New York; pre-eclampsia, eclampsia and prematurity rate even higher. In comparing the East Indian and Mixed Group in Northern Trinidad it is seen that pre-eclampsia and prematurity are twice as common and eclampsia three times as common in the East Indian in spite of an equal amount of ante-natal supervision. Opinions are expressed that the higher incidence of these obstetric complications amongst the East Indians is almost certainly correlated with their greater deficiency of vitamin B in conjunction with their relatively high intake of carbohydrate. In view of these findings it is hoped to stimulate agriculturists, nutrition experts, medical authorities and possibly - politicians - to advocate:- 1. A national increase in the vitamin B intake of the people of Trinidad, especially East Indians. 2. A controlled series of investigations at the ante-natal clinics so that the importance of vitamin B deficiency as a major cause of these complications can be proven. (AU)
