Reference intervals for 23 common biochemical parameters during pregnancy and the first six postpartum months.

The concentration of many biochemical parameters changes significantly during pregnancy and the postpartum period, causing a need for specific reference values for biochemical parameters in these life periods. We have collected blood samples in pregnancy week 18, 28 and 36 and six weeks, four months and six months postpartum from 139 healthy women. Blood samples from 59 healthy never-pregnant women were included as controls.

PFAS exposure is associated with an unfavourable metabolic profile in infants six months of age.

Exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are reported to have numerous negative health effects and children are especially vulnerable. The aim of this study was to investigate whether maternal and infant PFAS burden have any impact on prenatal and postnatal growth, liver and lipid parameters in infants at age six months. Data on diet and growth parameters, as well as blood samples were collected from healthy pregnant women in week 18 and in the women and their infants at six months postpartum.

Defining Optimal Cobalamin Status for Neonates and Infants.

Background: An optimal cobalamin status is necessary for normal neurodevelopment.

Objective: To give a description of the epidemiology, pathophysiology and diagnostic challenges related to cobalamin insufficiency in neonates and infants in order to prevent its occurence.

Results: Inadequate cobalamin status is prevalent among neonates and young infants, due to a high prevalence of maternal cobalamin deficiency, exclusive breastfeeding for extended periods and late introduction of animal food.

Folate - a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023.

Folate is an essential micronutrient for normal development and metabolic function, and folate deficiency is associated with an increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, mental dysfuntion and negative pregnancy outcomes. When estimating folate requirements, one must consider different bioavailability and functionality between synthetic folic acid and dietary folate, together with increased needs of folate in women of fertile age, pregnant and lactating women, preterm and small for gestational age weight infants and individuals who are homozygote for the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase () gene polymorphism. In order to achieve an adequate metabolic status based on the metabolic marker total homocysteine, and not merely the absence of clinical signs of folate deficiency, the recommended intake of folate differs according to age, pregnancy and lactation.

Vitamin B: a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023.

Pyridoxal 5´-phosphate (PLP) is the main form of vitamin B in animal tissue and functions as a coenzyme for more than 160 different enzymatic reactions in the metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, and neurotransmitters. Estimated dietary intake of vitamin B and plasma PLP values differ a lot between studies, something which may be due to variable use of supplements, variations in dietary assessment and analytical methods. These factors make it difficult to achieve precise data for setting a correct recommended intake of vitamin B.

Vitamin B - a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023.

Vitamin B (cobalamin) is essential for normal metabolic function, and even moderate deficiency of this vitamin has negative health effects. Vitamin B is found in animal foods, and as vegetarian diets are increasingly popular in Western countries, one might expect a higher prevalence of vitamin B deficiency in the Nordic population. Setting recommendations for vitamin B intake has proven to be difficult, as uptake of vitamin B varies substantially, the clinical deficiency symptoms are often diffuse, and there is no clear agreement on the decision limits for vitamin B deficiency.

Lower levels of the neuroprotective tryptophan metabolite, kynurenic acid, in users of estrogen contraceptives.

Changes in kynurenine metabolites are reported in users of estrogen containing contraception. We have assessed kynurenines, vitamin B6, vitamin B2 and the inflammation markers, C-reactive protein (CRP) and neopterin, in healthy, never-pregnant women between 18 and 40 years (n = 123) and related this to their use of hormonal contraception. The population included 58 women, who did not use hormonal contraceptives (non-users), 51 users of estrogen-containing contraceptives (EC-users), and 14 users of progestin only contraceptives (PC-users).

Does maternal genetic liability to folate deficiency influence the risk of antiseizure medication-associated language impairment and autistic traits in children of women with epilepsy?

Background: Prenatal exposure to antiseizure medication (ASM) may lead to low plasma folate concentrations and is associated with impaired neurodevelopment.

Objectives: To examine whether maternal genetic liability to folate deficiency interacts with ASM-associated risk of language impairment and autistic traits in children of women with epilepsy.

Methods: We included children of women with and without epilepsy and with available genetic data enrolled in the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study.

Dietary behaviors and attitudes among Norwegian medical students.

Background: Dietary patterns and beliefs are influenced by socioeconomic status, cultural influences, as well as medical advice, social media and marketing. Medical doctors are expected to provide correct, updated and non-biased nutritional advice to their patients, but their own dietary behaviors and attitudes may influence nutritional counselling.

Methods: We have investigated dietary habits and food attitudes among medical students by using an anonymous survey distributed to all students at the Medical Faculty, University of Bergen, Norway.

A Vegetarian Diet Significantly Changes Plasma Kynurenine Concentrations.

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid and a precursor of a number of physiologically important metabolites, including serotonin, melatonin, tryptamine, and kynurenines. We assessed tryptophan, kynurenines, and vitamin B2 and B6, as well as biomarkers of liver function and inflammation, in a group of 158 female omnivores and vegetarians aged 18-40 years. The majority of women were omnivores, and 22% were vegetarians.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency (Un-)Detected Using Newborn Screening in Norway.

Untreated vitamin B12 (B12) deficiency may cause delayed development in infants. Several newborn screening (NBS) programs have reported an increased detection rate of B12 deficiency when second-tier dried blood spot (DBS) analyses of total homocysteine (tHcy) and methylmalonic acid (MMA) are included. This is a retrospective study of newborns reported from NBS during 2012−2021 with confirmed B12 deficiency.

A Retrospective Evaluation of the Predictive Value of Newborn Screening for Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Symptomatic Infants Below 1 Year of Age.

Background: The sensitivity of newborn screening (NBS) in detecting infants that later develop symptomatic vitamin B12 deficiency is unknown. We evaluated the predictive value using NBS algorithms in detecting infants that later were clinically diagnosed with symptomatic B12 deficiency. Furthermore, we investigated whether being born in a hospital using nitrous oxide (NO) as pain relief in labor may have had an impact on total homocysteine at NBS.

Assessment of vitamin B6 status in never-pregnant, pregnant and postpartum women and their infants.

Purpose: Pyridoxal 5´-phosphate (PLP) is the main form of vitamin B6 in humans and functions a coenzyme for more than 160 different enzymatic reactions. The purpose of the study was to find plasma PLP concentrations, which ensure an optimal vitamin B6 status determined by a metabolic marker, in never-pregnant, pregnant and lactating women and their infants.

Methods: In an observational, prospective study, plasma PLP and the metabolic marker, HKr (hydroxykynurenine/(kynurenic acid + anthranilic acid + xanthurenic acid + hydroxyanthranilic acid) were assessed in women (n = 114) from pregnancy week 18 to 6 months postpartum and related to infant status.

Nitrous oxide in labour predicted newborn screening total homocysteine and is a potential risk factor for infant vitamin B12 deficiency.

Aim: Risk factors for vitamin B12 deficiency in infants are not fully understood. The aim of the study was to assess predictors of total homocysteine and methylmalonic acid analysed in newborn screening dried blood spots.

Methods: In a Norwegian case control study, we analysed total homocysteine and methylmalonic acid in newborn screening dried blood spots of 86 infants clinically diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency during 2012-2018.

Breastfed Infants With Spells, Tremor, or Irritability: Rule Out Vitamin B12 Deficiency.

Background: In Norway, 5-10% of neonates and infants have biomarkers suggesting vitamin B12 deficiency from newborn screening tests and unselected clinical screening, respectively.

Aims: The aims were to identify risk factors and describe presenting symptoms and biochemical profiles in infants diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency.

Methods: In this case-control study, we searched hospital medical records for infants younger than one year born in 2011-2018, diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency.

Quantitation of linear and branched perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids (PFSAs) in women and infants during pregnancy and lactation.

Background: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are associated with negative health effects, and exposure during fetal life and infancy are of concern. A subgroup of PFAS, linear and branched perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids (PFSA), have significant differences in biochemical reactions, bioaccumulation and potential toxic exposure effects, and data on transfer of PFSA isomers from mother to baby through placenta or in breastmilk are scarce.

Objectives: The objective was to investigate differences in branched and linear PFSA isomers in never-pregnant, pregnant and postpartum women and infants.

Impaired gross motor development in infants with higher PFAS concentrations.

Industrial produced perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmentally persistent and found in humans around the globe. PFAS is transferred from mother to child during pregnancy and lactation and PFAS concentrations are high in infants. PFAS exposure in early life has been linked to a range of negative health effects.

The prevalence and clinical relevance of hyperhomocysteinemia suggesting vitamin B12 deficiency in presumed healthy infants.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of biochemical vitamin B12 deficiency in infants in Norway. Increased total homocysteine (tHcy) is the most important marker of B12 deficiency in infants. There is a need to evaluate its clinical relevance.