Abstract

Background: Folic acid deficiency among pregnant women in Indonesia is quite prevalent. It is believed to cause the anemia and the risk of infant neural tube defect. Folic acid plays a certain role in homocystein convertion into methionine. Serum homocystein will increase with the decrease folic acid. Objective: To obtain folic acid consumption, homocystein and folic acid status in pregnant women suffering from anaemia using recent method of determination, and relationship of the three variables. Methodology: Pregnant women in the study area were screened by their Hb values under 11 g/dL. Thirty anemic pregnant women were further studied on their nutritional status, folic acid consumption, folic acid and homocystein status in serum. Folic acid consumption was obtained by used 2 x 24 hours recall method. Folic acid was analysed by Ion Capture Method and homocystein was analysed by Fluoresence Polarization Immuno assay. Results: Folic acid consumption was 61 + 50 ug/day. Average of serum folic acid was 7.53 + 2.8 ug/mL with a range of 3.5 to 15.1 ug/mL. Normal value of serum folic acid was 3.1 to 12.4 ug/mL. Therefore, the value of folic acid of pregnant women in this study was still in the range of normal value. Serum homocystein value in pregnant women was 7.1 + 1.95 ug/ml with a range of 3.0 to 10.9 ug/ml, while normal value was 5 to 15 ug/dL. Conclusion: Homocystein and folic acid status of pregnant women in this study was normal.