Enzymic evaluation of thiamin, riboflavin and pyridoxine status of parturient women and their newborn infants.

1. Thiamin, riboflavin and pyridoxine status of 'low-income-group' mothers and their newborn infants was assessed by analysing paired samples of maternal and umbilical cord blood for erythrocyte transketolase (EC 2.2.1.1) (ETK), erythrocyte glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2) (EGR), and erythrocyte aspartate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1) (EAA) activities. 2. The vitamin status of the infants was better than that of the mothers. 3. Most of the mothers and some of the infants had biochemical evidence of thiamin and riboflavin deficiency. 4. The pregnant women had a higher EAA activity and also higher stimulation with pyridoxal-5-phosphate than the non-pregnant women of the same community. 5. There was a significant correlation between maternal and umbilical blood samples for ETK and EGR activities, but not for EAA activity or any of the coenzyme stimulation tests.