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Summary Vitamin D nutrition in pregnancy was investigated in 115 Asian women living in London, and in 50 of their newborn infants. Mean serum 25‐hydroxy cholecalciferal (25‐OHD) concentration at the beginning of the last trimester was 20.2 nmol/1, and fell to 16.0 nmol/1 post partum. Thirty‐six per cent of the women post partum and 32 per cent of the infants had undetectable 25‐OHD concentrations (<3 nmol/1). Such low values are commonly associated with osteomalacia and rickets. The bone isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase was elevated in 20 per cent of the women post partum, and in 50 per cent of the infants, indicating the presence of sub‐clinical bone disease. Five infants had symptomatic hypocalcaemia. Vitamin D deficiency was most likely to occur in Pakistanis, Hindu Indians and East African Asians, and in vegetarians. All British Asians should receive supplementary Vitamin D during pregnancy.

Summary In a double blind trial of supplementary vitamin D (1000 iu daily) administered in the last trimester of pregnancy to Asian women living in London, supplemented mothers gained weight faster (63.3 g/day) than those in the control group (46.4 g/day), and at term had significantly higher plasma levels of retinol binding protein and thyroid binding prealbumin indicating better protein‐calorie nutrition. Maternal weight gain correlated with postpartum levels of both retinol binding protein and thyroid binding prealbumin. Almost twice as many infants in the unsupplemented group weighed under 2500 g at birth, and had significantly lower retinol binding protein levels than infants of supplemented mothers. The nutritional benefits of supplementation provide further support for the routine administration of vitamin D to all British Asians during pregnancy.

The pharmacokinetics of ciprofloxacin following a single 100 mg oral dose were evaluated in elderly patients (mean age 74 years), laboratory staff (30-40 years) and students (less than 20 years). There were no significant differences in serum Tmax (1.2-1.3 h) or in overall serum elimination half-life (3.7-4.0 h) but Cmax in elderly patients was more than double that in young volunteers (P less than 0.005). The serum AUC value was greater both in fasting students (1.4 mg/h/l) compared with the same subjects after food (1.09: P less than 0.01) and, after food, in elderly patients (1.95) compared with students (0.81: P less than 0.005). Urinary recoveries were greater in fasting subjects and in all categories of volunteers compared with elderly patients. However, in the elderly, urinary ciprofloxacin concentrations (0-6 h mean 66 mg/l: range 17.4-200 mg/l) were more than adequate for the eradication of urinary pathogens.

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