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Journal of Nutrition Vol. 62 No. 2 June 1957, pp. 201-224
Copyright © 1957 by American Society for Nutrition
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The Vanderbilt Cooperative Study of Maternal and Infant Nutrition1

X. Ascorbic Acid

Margaret P. Martin, Edwin Bridgforth, William J. McGanity and William J. Darby

Departments of Preventive Medicine and of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Division of Nutrition of the Departments of Biochemistry and Medicine, and the Tennessee-Vanderbilt Nutrition Project, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee

Data on intakes and serum levels of vitamin C in 2,129 pregnant women are studied in relation to many factors, including the course and outcome of pregnancy.

In general, serum levels decreased during pregnancy except in the group at a high level of intake. Values were further decreased postpartum, and were lower for lactating than for non-lactating women. Evidence is presented that on the average intakes of 80 to 100 mg daily supported high levels of ascorbic acid in the serum during pregnancy. The serum levels of non-lactating mothers averaged 0.7 mg per 100 ml during the puerperium on intakes (during pregnancy) of 100 mg or over per day; the serum concentration of lactating mothers did not average greater than 0.3 mg even on intakes exceeding 120 mg daily.

Analysis of findings relative to the health of the mother and baby revealed only 5 categories which may possibly be associated with ascorbic acid nutriture: hematologic findings, gingivitis, premature separation of the placenta, premature birth, and puerperal fever. Increased frequency of premature birth was limited to the lowest intake levels and lowest serum concentrations. In none of the conditions was there a strong relation to both intakes and serum levels. Hence we believe that ascorbic acid nutriture is at most a contributary factor in any of these.

1 Financial assistance which has made possible this program has been generously provided by grants from the following organizations: the Nutrition Foundation, the International Health Division of The Rockefeller Foundation, the U. S. Public Health Service [RG-278 through RG-A-4(C6)], and the Tennessee Department of Public Health.

Manuscript received 26 December 1956.




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