Ascorbic acid status in third trimester of pregnancy, at delivery and in cord blood.

Ascorbic acid levels in 30 subjects in their third trimester of pregnancy were estimated. Their haematological parameters (packed cell volume, haemoglobin and mean cell haemoglobin concentration) were also determined. The values were compared with that of 30 non-pregnant women (control group). The ascorbic acid status of newly born babies using cord blood were determined along with that of their mothers at delivery. The ascorbic acid level of 0.92±0.37 mg/dl was reported in third trimester. This value was not significantly (P>0.05) lower than in the control group (1.04±0.4 mg/dl). The result showed that the ascorbic acid level at delivery was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of the control group. The ascorbic acid levels in the cord blood of the newly born babies were significantly (P<0.01) higher than the maternal level. There was insignificant difference in the haematological parameters between the pregnant and non-pregnant women.