Micronutrient Dynamics and Deficiency Risk Across Pregnancy and Postpartum in a Slovak Cohort

Objective: To assess the dynamics in blood concentrations of vitamins (A, B6, B12, D, E,), trace elements such as selenium, magnesium, zinc, and iron (transferrin), and metabolite homocysteine during pregnancy and postpartum. Design: Cross-sectional, national cohort study conducted between January and June 2024. Setting: Slovakia. Population: Pregnant and postpartum women. Methods: From venous blood and capillary dry blood spot micronutrients were analysed using standard biochemical and biophysical methods. Main Outcome Measures: Temporal changes in blood micronutrient levels across pregnancy and postpartum. Results: Our findings demonstrate significant temporal variations in maternal micronutrient levels. While some nutrients remained stable (vitamin D, folate), others showed a decline (vitamin A, B12, iron, zinc), whereas certain nutrients increased (vitamin E) during pregnancy. Vitamin E concentrations in the 3 rd trimester frequently exceeded reference values for the general adult population, whereas zinc levels significantly declined postpartum. We observed high prevalence of vitamin B12 and iron deficiencies, as indicated by transferrin saturation, particularly in the 3 rd trimester. Vitamin D deficiency was prevalent throughout pregnancy and postpartum. Finally, our analysis demonstrated that dried blood spot (DBS) technology provides comparable results to venous blood analysis for measuring vitamin A, D and homocysteine levels. Conclusion: These findings highlight the dynamic nature of maternal micronutrient status, emphasizing the necessity of systematic nutritional surveillance during pregnancy and postpartum. The integration of DBS technology into routine clinical practice could facilitate early detection and management of maternal nutrient deficiencies. Supplementary Material File (mumo health_zilka et al. 2025.04.06.docx) - Download - 5.36 MB Information & Authors Information Version history Peer review timeline Published PLOS One Version of Record4 Sep 2025Published Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License.

Authors Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 254views 105downloads Citations Download citation Alexandra Kristufkova, Neha Basheer, Katarina Koprdova, et al. Micronutrient Dynamics and Deficiency Risk Across Pregnancy and Postpartum in a Slovak Cohort. Authorea. 07 April 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174402748.82741173/v1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174402748.82741173/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.