English summaries 6/2021 vsk 76 s. 354 - 360

Pregnant women commonly take food supplements but sometimes not in line with the recommendations

Lilja MattilaElla KoivuniemiKirsi Laitinen
Ravintolisien käyttö raskauden aikana<p/>
Vitamiinien ja kivennäisaineiden vuorokausittainen saanti käytetyistä ravintolisistä (n = 474)<p/>
Käytössä olevien ravintolisien määrä

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the use of food supplements among pregnant Finnish women and to compare the intake to the recommendations set for pregnancy.

METHODS Altogether 542 women participated in the study. The data were collected by electronic questionnaire. The daily intakes of vitamins and minerals from the consumed food supplements were calculated. Also, the intakes of fish oil and probiotic supplements were determined.

RESULTS Of the participating women, 98% (532/542) had consumed food supplements during pregnancy. The number of food supplements varied from 1 to 9. The most frequently used (82% of the women) food supplement was a multivitamin and mineral supplement specifically devised for pregnant women. As regards awareness of the recommendations, 70% of the women reported that multivitamin and mineral supplement use was recommended during pregnancy. Of these women, 61% were aware of the vitamin D recommendation and 85% of the folic acid recommendation for the period prior to pregnancy and 82% for the pregnancy. The tolerable upper intake level for at least one nutrient was exceeded by 5% of the supplement users.

CONCLUSIONS The consumption of food supplements is very common during pregnancy, even in remarkably high doses. Thus, it is important to inquire about the use of food supplements and to counsel pregnant women in the correct use of food supplements during health care visits.

Lääkäriliitto Fimnet Lääkärilehti Potilaanlaakarilehti Lääkäripäivät Lääkärikompassi Erikoisalani Lääkäri 2030