A survey to estimate total nutrient intake at conception — Dietary and supplementary

Abstract

Purpose. To compare the nutritional status of infertile women with non‐pregnant fertile age‐matched controls and to assess the periconceptional intake of nutritional supplements in pregnancy with an estimation of total micronutrient (diet and supplementary) intake.Design. An assessment of the nutritional status of infertile women and fertile, age‐matched non‐pregnant controls and a survey of the periconceptional intake of folic acid and other nutritional supplements.Materials and methods. Group 1: a 7‐day weighed diet diary and blood tests for magnesium, mineral and pyridoxine status were used to assess the nutritional status of six infertile women and 12 non‐pregnant, healthy, age‐matched controls. Group 2: the periconceptional dietary intake of folic acid and other nutritional supplements was estimated in 87 pregnant women attending midwife clinics, 36 women attending an assisted conception clinic and 7 women attending a self help group for lesbian pregnancy.Results. In the group of six infertile subjec...