Pregnancy support- Vitamin Deficiencies

Vitamin B12 (vegetarians only) - updated: 03 November 2008

Deficient intake of nutrients and the resulting health complications in vegetarians in the course of pregnancy and lactation

Ceska Gynekol. 2005 Mar;70(2):161-4

Hronek M, Kudlácková Z.

OBJECTIVE: A survey of present results about deficient intake of nutrients and resulting health complications in vegetarians in the course of pregnancy and lactation. DESIGN: A review of literature. SETTING: Charles University, Pharmaceutical Faculty, Hradec Králové. METHODS: Review of literature and publications from medical data bases. CONCLUSIONS: Deficient intake of nutrients and associated development of pathological conditions were described in vegetarians in the course of pregnancy and lactation. Deficient intake of certain amino acids, vitamin B12, calcium, iron, zinc and iodine, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and restriction of energy intake were demonstrated. The health complications included hypoproteinemia, edemas, abortion, the delivery of children of lower birth weight, megablastic and sideropenic anemia, spastic conditions, weak labor, atonic bleeding, mental retardation of the conceptus.

Publication Types:

• Review

Severe vitamin B12 deficiency in an infant associated with a maternal deficiency and a strict vegetarian diet

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2004 Apr;26(4):270-1

Weiss R, Fogelman Y, Bennett M.

The authors present a case of severe megaloblastic anemia and neurologic damage due to vitamin B12 deficiency in a 6-month-old infant. The cause of the vitamin deficiency was a maternal dietary deficiency because of a strict vegetarian diet and prolonged breast-feeding. The importance of early recognition of significant maternal vitamin B12 deficiency during pregnancy and lactation in vegetarians is emphasized so that appropriate supplementation can be given and irreversible neurologic damage in the infant prevented.

Publication Types:

• Case Study

Effects of a vegetarian life style on health

Fortschr Med. 1995 Jun 10;113(16):239-42

Ritter MM, Richter WO.

A vegetarian diet has a positive effect on various risk factors for coronary artery disease: these include usually lower average body weight, lower total and LDL cholesterol levels, and lower blood pressure. In conjunction with a generally more healthy way of life (more exercise, less alcohol and tobacco use), vegetarians have roughly 30% reduction in overall mortality. The prevalence of bronchial, colon and breast cancer is also lower. In particular in its strict form (total vegetarianism or veganism), a vegetarian regimen may lead to deficiency disorders, in particular vitamin B12 deficiency, which may occur especially in vegetarian children, pregnant or lactating women. Overall, however, a vegetarian regimen has a more beneficial effect on health than the usual Central European diet.

Publication Types:

• Review

Good nutrition for the vegetarian mother

Mod Midwife. 1994 Apr;4(4):23-

Sanders T.

A pregnant or nursing vegetarian mother needs to be aware of the need to vary her diet because the nutrients that she would otherwise get from meat or fish are more widely scattered in foods of plant origin. Diets which exclude dairy products require more careful planning. Particular attention needs to be made to the mother's intake of iron, calcium, vitamin B12 and vitamin D. Vegetarian mothers do not show a higher incidence of complications of pregnancy, but there are some links between vegetarians and lower birthweight and earlier labour. On weaning the infant's diet should not be too bulky and should provide adequate vitamin D and B12.

Publication Types:

• Review

Publication Types:

• Review