Objective: A survey of present results about deficient intake of nutrients and resulting health complications in vegetarians in the course of pregnancy and lactation. Design: A review of literature. Setting: Charles University, Pharmaceutical Faculty, Hradec Králové Methods: Review of literature and publications from medical data bases. Conclusions: Deficient intake of nutrients and associated development of pathological conditions were described in vegetarians in the course of pregnancy and lactation. Deficient intake of certain amino acids, vitamin B12, calcium, iron, zinc and iodine, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and restriction of energy intake were demonstrated. The health complications included hypoproteinemia, edemas, abortion, the delivery of children of lower birth weight, megablastic and sideropenic anemia, spastic conditions, weak labor, atonic bleeding, mental retardation of the conceptus.

        Key words: pregnancy, amino acids, vitamin B12, calcium, iron, zinc, iodine, n-3 PUFA, energy restriction