Carnitine Deficiency and Pregnancy

Abstract

We present two cases of carnitine deficiency in pregnancy. In our first case, systematic screening revealed L-carnitine deficiency in the first born of an asymptomatic mother. In the course of her second pregnancy, maternal carnitine levels showed a deficiency as well. In a second case, a mother known with carnitine deficiency under supplementation was followed throughout her pregnancy. Both pregnancies had an uneventful outcome. Because carnitine deficiency can have serious complications, supplementation with carnitine is advised. This supplementation should be continued throughout pregnancy according to plasma concentrations.

Ketogenic Diet in Glut 1 Deficiency Through the Life Cycle: Pregnancy to Neonate to Preschooler

“…Carnitine deficiency can be a result of a rare disorder, primary carnitine deficiency, or related to medications such as the antiepileptic drug valproic acid, malnutrition, hemodialysis, renal tubular dysfunction, or a vegetarian diet. 11 It has been documented by Schoderbeck et al 12 that healthy pregnant women may have a decrease in levels of whole blood and plasma carnitine similar to those levels found in patients with carnitine deficiency. The percentage of acylcarnitine on total carnitine in that study was characteristic of secondary carnitine deficiency indicating the need for carnitine supplementation particularly in high-risk pregnancies.…”