Define need of vitamin E and K during pregnancy period?
Vitamin E needs are believed to increase during pregnancy but deficiency in humans rarely occurs. Vitamin E in the infant was correlated directly with maternal concentration.
Maternal dietary deficiency of vitamin K is almost unheard of but transport across the placenta is low. Newborns often have low body levels of vitamin K.
Although the need for vitamins A, C, E and K increase during pregnancy, symptoms of deficiency of C, E and K are seldom seen. You should advise mothers to include adequate amounts of these foods in the diet.
With the exception of iron and folic acid, routine dietary supplementation with other vitamin and mineral preparations is not necessary. You should encourage pregnant women to disregard vitamin and mineral preparations as corrective measures for inadequate dietary habits and consider food as the optimal vehicle for delivery of nutrients. For women who need supplementation e.g. those in high-risk category, a vitamin-mineral supplement is recommended from the beginning of the 2nd trimester.