Postpartum thiamine deficiency in a Karen displaced population.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Before its recognition, infantile beriberi was the leading cause of infant death in camps for displaced persons of the Karen ethnic minority on Thailand's western border.

OBJECTIVE:

This study aimed to document thiamine status in the peripartum period to examine the current supplementation program and the correlation between the clinical manifestations of thiamine deficiency and a biochemical measure of thiamine status.

DESIGN:

Women were enrolled prospectively at 30 wk of gestation and were followed up weekly until delivery and at 3 mo postpartum. Thiamine supplementation during pregnancy was based on patient symptoms.

RESULTS:

At 3 mo postpartum, thiamine deficiency reflected by an erythrocyte transketolase activity (ETKA) > or = 1.20% was found in 57.7% (15/26) of mothers, 26.9% (7/26) of whom had severe deficiency (ETKA > 1.25%). No significant associations between ETKA and putative maternal symptoms or use of thiamine supplements were found.

CONCLUSIONS:

Biochemical postpartum thiamine deficiency is still common in Karen refugee women. This situation may be improved by educating lactating women to reduce their consumption of thiaminase-containing foods and by implementing an effective thiamine supplementation program.

• Authors: R McGready, J A Simpson, T Cho, L Dubowitz, S Changbumrung, V Böhm, R G Munger, H E Sauberlich, N J White, F Nosten
• Journal: The American journal of clinical nutrition (Am J Clin Nutr) Vol. 74 Issue 6 Pg. 808-13 (Dec 2001) ISSN: 0002-9165 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11722964 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Transketolase
• Hydrolases
• thiaminase II
• Thiamine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Cohort Studies
• Dietary Supplements
• Erythrocytes (enzymology)
• Female
• Humans
• Hydrolases (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Infant, Newborn
• Lactation (blood)
• Milk, Human (chemistry)
• Postpartum Period
• Pregnancy (blood)
• Pregnancy Outcome
• Prenatal Care
• Prospective Studies
• Refugees
• Thailand (epidemiology)
• Thiamine (administration & dosage)
• Thiamine Deficiency (blood, drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Transketolase (blood)