RIBOFLAVIN AND PYRIDOXINE STATUS IN A GROUP OF PREGNANT MEXICAN WOMEN

In order to assess the nutritional status of riboflavin and pyridoxine during pregnancy, 24 Mexican women were studied during the second tri mester and 17 during the third trimester of gestation, The biochemical evaluation of the riboflavin and pyridoxine status was performed by m easuring the activation coefficients (AC) of the erythrocyte glutathio ne reductase (eGR) and aspartate aminotransferase (eAAT), respectively , Dietary protein, riboflavin, thiamin, and calcium intake decreased s ignificantly in the last trimester of gestation, The women presented b iochemical deficiency of pyridoxine in the second and third trimester of pregnancy, but they developed biochemical deficiency of riboflavin and pyridoxine deficiency, None showed clinical signs of vitamin defic iency, No significant correlation was found between individual serum c oncentrations of estradiol or progesterone and eGR-AC or eAAT-AC in bo th trimesters of pregnancy, Six newborns studied showed normal eGR-AC and eAAT-AC.