Baye, Kaleab (PhD)Bekele, Teshome2021-01-262023-11-092021-01-262023-11-092015-06-06http://10.90.10.223:4000/handle/123456789/24843Iron, folate and vitamin B12 play important roles in the healthy development and brain function of the fetus. The levels of these micronutrients in pregnant women are influenced among other factors by dietary habits. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of iron biomarkers, serum retinol, B12, C-reactive protein (CRP) and folate in second and third trimester pregnancies attending antenatal care in the west showa, Oromia region. One hundred four anaemic pregnant women were screened during their 2nd and 3rd prenatal visit. A socio-demographic characteristic of study subjects were obtained and Hemoglobin (Hb), serum retinol, serum ferritin (sf), serum transferrin (sTfR), folate, retinol and vitamin B12 levels were evaluated. Based on WHO guidelines, anaemia was defined as severe Hb<7g/L, moderate 7-9.9g/L and mild 9.9-10.9g/L; ID as sf <12 μg/L and sTfR >8.3g/L. Serum folate and B12 deficiencies were defined as levels <6.8 ng/ml and 150 pg/ml respectively. The mean age and gestational week was 24.6+5 years and 23.3+5.6 weeks respectively. The mean concentrations of Hb in serum were 10.5+1.2 g/dL, 30.3+23.6 g/L for sf, 5.4+2.8g/L for sTfR, 1.69+2.02mol/L for retinol, 7.6+3.5ng/ml for folate, 187.4+53.7pg/ml for vitamin B12 and 4.5+1.6 mg/L for CRP. IDA was present in 32.7%, VitB12 deficency in 26.9% and folic acid deficiency in 27.9% of anaemic pregnant women. Vitamin B12 and serum transferrin were associated with CRP (r=0.189; P=0.015). Iron, vitamin A, vitamin B12, and folate deficiencies as well as infections were relatively common in the anaemic pregnant women. Vitamin A and vitamin B12 supplementation in addition to iron must be considered in pregnant women living in the study areas.enAnaemiaHemoglobinFerritinFolateVitamin B12Vitamin APregnancyThesis