Carotene and Vitamin A in Pregnancy and the Early Puerperium.

Summary 1. Levels of carotene and vit. A in pregnant patients were shown to be significantly different from those found in nonpregnant and puerperal patients. 2. Differences in the means of carotene and vit. A between puerperal and non-pregnant patients were variable and it appeared that changes in carotene and vit. A following delivery are rapid and not significantly different from those found in the non-pregnant group. No differences were found in carotene and vit. A between postpartum days. 3. Diet was apparently not a factor influencing carotene and vit. A levels in this study. 4. Evidence was given supporting the inverse relationship between carotene and vit. A and it was suggested that the ratio (C/A) of these components may be a better parameter for detecting changes occurring in their metabolism. 5. The possible association of vit. A and carotene changes with changes in lipids during pregnancy was considered.