Edwin B. Bridgforth

The Vanderbilt cooperative study of maternal and infant nutrition. VI. Relationship of obstetric performance to nutrition.

Abstract 1. 1. The nutriture of 2,046 obstetric patients who attended the Vanderbilt University Hospital between 1945 and 1950 has been evaluated on the basis of nutrient intake, laboratory and biochemical determinations, and clinical physical examinations. 2. 2. The metabolic and physiologic changes in these during the gestational period have been outlined. 3. 3. Twenty-five abnormal obstetric and fetal conditions have been examined for evidence of nutritional stigmas during the gestational period. 4. 4. Different levels of nutrient intake have been studied for any influence on the development of obstetric and fetal abnormalities. 5. 5. In this group of patients who are reasonably representative of wide-spread obstetric experience in the United States, there is no clear indietment of nutritional lack as an important etiological agent in the numerous conditions studied. 6. 6. The findings to direct attention to the effect of pregnancy and lactation upon the nutritional state of the woman, particularly during the postpartum period or when an obstetric complication occurs.

The vanderbilt cooperative study of maternal and infant nutrition

Abstract 1. 1. A brief outline of the purpose and plan of the Vanderbilt Cooperative Study of Maternal and Infant Nutrition is given. 2. 2. The sample is 2,046 patients who had their complete prenatal and obstetric care at the Vanderbilt University Hospital. This is the total available material from 1945 to 1950. 3. 3. The economic status of these patients was in the low to moderate income range. 4. 4. The results of the prenatal and obstetric course of the 2,046 patients are reported, with comparison with generally accepted textbook incidences and also with incidences in representative previous nutritional studies.

Vitamin B12 requirement of adult man

Abstract 1.1. Patients with pernicious anemia in relapse have been studied as examples of vitamin B 12 -depleted subjects. A critical study of the minimal dosage of parenterally administered vitamin B 12 required for initial response and the long-term maintenance of these patients has been made. From these data estimates of the dietary requirement of vitamin B 12 have been derived. 2.2. The data on initial response and on maintenance consistently indicate a daily utilization of vitamin B 12 ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 μg., the more usual range being 0.5 to 1.0 μg. Considering the efficiency of absorption by normal persons of quantities of this order of vitamin B 12 we estimate that the minimal daily dietary needs for this vitamin may be met by approximately 0.6 to 2.8 μg., with a narrower range of 0.6 to 1.2 μg. sufficient for most persons. 3.3. Long-term observations on patients receiving smaller than minimal dosage indicate that the demands of vitamin B 12 for hemopoiesis exceed those for other clinically recognized physiologic functions, and that macrocytosis is the most sensitive indicator of vitamin B 12 deficiency. In appraising vitamin B 12 nutriture careful estimates of erythrocyte size therefore are important.