RESUMEN
A limited nutritional survey was carried out in 229 first attenders at an antenatal clinic in Gazankulu during the winter of 1984. Haemoglobin concentrations equal to or less than 11 g/dl were found in 33% of these women, the prime reason being folate deficiency. Serum folate concentrations were less than a 3.5 ng/ml in 60% of subjects and less than 3.0 ng/ml in 48%. A mean corpuscular volume of 100 fl or more, which reflects a defect in red cell DNA synthesis, was present in 35%. Iron related measurements indicated that only 17% were also iron deficient but the figure is certainly an underestimate, since the presence of folate deficiency tends to mask concomitant iron deficiency. The findings underline the need for folate and iron supplementation in pregnancy; the very high prevalence of significant folate deficiency also indicates that serious consideration should be given to the fortification of maize meal with folic acid.
Asunto(s)
Ácido Fólico/sangre , Hierro/sangre , Embarazo , Negro o Afroamericano , Población Negra , Femenino , Ferritinas/sangre , Ácido Fólico/administración & dosificación , Hemoglobinas/análisis , Humanos , Hierro/administración & dosificación , SudáfricaRESUMEN
In 1969 a group of hunter-gatherer San were studied (Am J Clin Nutr 1971;24:229-42). Their state of hematological nutrition was excellent with a negligible incidence of iron, folate, or vitamin B12 deficiency. A genetically and linguistically similar San community who have been settled for the past 15 yr were the subjects of the present study. Anemia, due in the main to iron and/or folate deficiency, has become more common. Alcoholism has become rife in both sexes and all age groups. Our findings show that a settled lifestyle has resulted in a significant deterioration in the San's hematological nutrition.