International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-7802122016021416641664ENDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kudu, JigawaDepartment of Community Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross RiverDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi20160214<p><strong>Background:</strong> Vitamin C levels are low in pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to determine serum Vitamins C levels among pregnant women attending antenatal care at a General Hospital<br />in Dawakin Kudu, Kano, and this can help further research to determine the place of Vitamin C supplementation in pregnancy.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> This was a prospective study of 400 pregnant women who presented for antenatal care in General Hospital Dawakin Kudu, Kano, Nigeria. Research structured questionnaire was<br />administered to 400 respondents. Determination of serum Vitamin C was done using appropriate biochemical methods.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Vitamin C deficiency was found in 79.5% of the participants. The values for Vitamin C were 0.20 &plusmn; 0.18 mg/dl during the first trimester, 0.50 &plusmn; 0.99 mg/dl in the second trimester, and 0.35 &plusmn; 0.36 mg/dl in the third trimester and P = 0.001.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> There is a significant reduction in the serum Vitamins C concentration throughout the period of pregnancy with the highest levels in the second trimester. Therefore, Vitamin C<br />supplementation is suggested during pregnancy, especially for those whose fruit and vegetable consumption is inadequate.</p><p><strong>Keywords:</strong> North-west Nigeria, pregnant women, Vitamin C</p>http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/1664http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/1664/1953