Biochemical assessment of nutritional status in pre- and post-natal Turkish women and outcome of pregnancy.

Objective: To determine by biochemical methods the nutritional status of pre- and post-natal Turkish women and its relationship with offspring anthropometry.

Design: Longitudinal study.

Setting: Health centres in Istanbul and Izmit, research department and university hospital laboratories.

Blood vitamin and mineral levels in 7-17 years old Turkish children.

Blood vitamin (thiamin, riboflavin, vitamins B6, B12, C, A, and E, folate and beta-carotene), mineral (iron and zinc), alkaline phosphatase and cholesterol levels and hematocrit were assessed in 960 school-age children selected by random sampling from urban and rural regions of Turkey. Nutritional statuses of the children according to each index were compared with respect to age, sex, area and type of settlement. A biochemical deficiency was observed in 20.