Dietary guidelines for pregnancy: a review of current evidence

2001 ◽  
Vol 4 (2b) ◽  
pp. 625-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
AA Jackson ◽  
SM Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Successful Outcome ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Adult Disease ◽  
In Pregnancy

AbstractIn a successful pregnancy maternal health is maintained, a healthy baby is delivered and the mother is able to nurture her newborn adequately. Despite continued interest in the role and importance of maternal diet in this process, we do not have a clear understanding of how the nutritional status of the mother influences fetal growth and development. Recent epidemiological evidence of an association between poor fetal growth and adult disease highlights the need to reconsider the influences which act on the fetus, and the role maternal nutrition may play.Nutrient needs are increased in pregnancy. For the mother to be solely dependent upon her dietary intake to meet these demands, would represent a very high risk strategy. Hence adequate reserves are important for a successful outcome. Whilst there are numerous observational studies of diet during pregnancy, there are only limited data from well-controlled, randomised supplementation studies. A recent systematic review showed only dietary supplements balanced in energy and protein content to result consistently in improved fetal growth. There is no strong evidence that nutrient supplements confer benefit in women without overt deficiency.To interpret future dietary studies in pregnancy we need to consider metabolic differences between women which may influence their ability to meet fetal nutrient demand, to allow for nutrient–nutrient interactions, and to take account of differences in timing in gestation. Consideration of these factors in studies of pregnancy, will lead to a clearer understanding of the links between maternal diet and fetal growth and development. Until we have this understanding, it is reasonable to expect that women entering pregnancy are provided with a diet which is adequate, based upon our normal understanding of requirements, and it is not acceptable for women to be expected to carry a pregnancy with an obvious or overt nutritional deficiency.

scholarly journals Tryptophan metabolism, disposition and utilization in pregnancy

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulla A.-B. Badawy
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Essential Amino Acid ◽  
Tryptophan Metabolism ◽  
Amino Acid Tryptophan ◽  
In Pregnancy

The essential amino acid tryptophan (Trp) is especially important in pregnancy for protein synthesis by mother and fetus, fetal growth and development and prevention of fetal rejection by immunosuppression. A Trp utilization concept based on these physiological requirements in pregnancy is proposed.

scholarly journals Poor maternal nutrition during gestation in sheep alters prenatal muscle growth and development in offspring

2019 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary C Gauvin ◽  
Sambhu M Pillai ◽  
Sarah A Reed ◽  
John R Stevens ◽  
Maria L Hoffman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth And Development ◽  
Muscle Development ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Muscle Growth ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Triceps Brachii ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Time Point

Abstract Poor maternal nutrition during gestation can have immediate and life-long negative effects on offspring growth and health. In livestock, this leads to reduced product quality and increased costs of production. Based on previous evidence that both restricted- and overfeeding during gestation decrease offspring muscle growth and alter metabolism postnatally, we hypothesized that poor maternal nutrition during gestation would reduce the growth and development of offspring muscle prenatally, reduce the number of myogenic progenitor cells, and result in changes in the global expression of genes involved in prenatal muscle development and function. Ewes were fed a control (100% NRC)-, restricted (60% NRC)-, or overfed (140% NRC) diet beginning on day 30 of gestation until days 45, 90, and 135 of gestation or until parturition. At each time point fetuses and offspring (referred to as CON, RES, and OVER) were euthanized and longissimus dorsi (LM), semitendinosus (STN), and triceps brachii (TB) were collected at each time point for histological and RNA-Seq analysis. In fetuses and offspring, we did not observe an effect of diet on cross-sectional area (CSA), but CSA increased over time (P < 0.05). At day 90, RES and OVER had reduced secondary:primary muscle fiber ratios in LM (P < 0.05), but not in STN and TB. However, in STN and TB percent PAX7-positive cells were decreased compared with CON (P < 0.05). Maternal diet altered LM mRNA expression of 20 genes (7 genes downregulated in OVER and 2 downregulated in RES compared with CON; 5 downregulated in OVER compared with RES; false discovery rate (FDR)-adj. P < 0.05). A diet by time interaction was not observed for any genes in the RNA-Seq analysis; however, 2,205 genes were differentially expressed over time between days 90 and 135 and birth (FDR-adj. P < 0.05). Specifically, consistent with increased protein accretion, changes in muscle function, and increased metabolic activity during myogenesis, changes in genes involved in cell cycle, metabolic processes, and protein synthesis were observed during fetal myogenesis. In conclusion, poor maternal nutrition during gestation contributes to altered offspring muscle growth during early fetal development which persists throughout the fetal stage. Based on muscle-type-specific effects of maternal diet, it is important to evaluate more than one type of muscle to fully elucidate the effects of maternal diet on offspring muscle development.

scholarly journals 147 Nutritional advances in fetal and neonatal development: Mineral nutrition

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 121-121
Author(s):  
Allison M Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Mineral Nutrition ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Metabolic Stress ◽  
Developmental Programming ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Trace Minerals ◽  
Neonatal Development

Abstract Mineral nutrition during pregnancy has long been known to impact fetal growth and development. This is evidenced by a multitude of mineral deficiency-related causes for embryonic loss, abortion, stillbirth, or neonatal death, including poor or inappropriate fetal development that can be either reversible or irreversible postnatally. Both macro and trace mineral needs of the dam are known to increase with the fetal growth of advancing gestation due to greater metabolic stress and demand, as well as tissue development and deposition in the fetus. Fetal deposition of many trace minerals is especially important for neonatal use while consuming milk with low mineral concentrations and facing a multitude of immune challenges. In the last 2 decades, many laboratories have focused on “developmental programming,” or the effects of maternal nutrition on fetal and neonatal development and ultimately long-term health and productivity of livestock. Despite this, the role of macro and trace minerals in short-and long-term consequences of developmental programming is still unclear for many minerals and species. Taken together, research in ruminants and swine demonstrate that mineral intake and source during pregnancy can have a large effect on fetal growth and development that lasts into the neonatal and pre-weaning periods. Some studies suggest that supra-nutritional mineral intake may have a positive benefit during gestation or neonatal periods. Moreover, some data suggest that mineral requirements may be greater than currently thought to accommodate the rapid fetal growth and preparation for lactation that occurs during late gestation. Continued research is necessary to determine mineral requirements of livestock during pregnancy, especially when considering their long-reaching subsequent effects on offspring. Additionally, increased understanding of perinatal transfer of trace minerals can aid in our management of pregnant dams and their offspring.

scholarly journals Maternal dietary patterns in pregnancy and fetal growth in Japan: the Osaka Maternal and Child Health Study

2011 ◽  
Vol 107 (10) ◽  
pp. 1526-1533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hitomi Okubo ◽  
Yoshihiro Miyake ◽  
Satoshi Sasaki ◽  
Keiko Tanaka ◽  
Kentaro Murakami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Head Circumference ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Wheat Products ◽  
Rice Fish ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
In Pregnancy

Maternal nutritional status during pregnancy is an important determinant of fetal growth. Although the effects of several nutrients and foods have been well examined, little is known about the relationship of overall maternal diet in pregnancy to fetal growth, particularly in non-Western populations. We prospectively examined the relationship of maternal dietary patterns in pregnancy to neonatal anthropometric measurements at birth and risk of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) birth among 803 Japanese women with live-born, singleton, term deliveries. Maternal diet in pregnancy was assessed using a validated, self-administered diet history questionnaire. Dietary patterns from thirty-three predefined food groups (g/4184 kJ) were extracted by cluster analysis. The following three dietary patterns were identified: the ‘meat and eggs’ (n 326), ‘wheat products’, with a relatively high intake of bread, confectioneries and soft drinks (n 303), and ‘rice, fish and vegetables’ (n 174) patterns. After adjustment for potential confounders, women in the ‘wheat products’ pattern had infants with the significantly lowest birth weight (P = 0·045) and head circumference (P = 0·036) among those in the three dietary patterns. Compared with women in the ‘rice, fish and vegetables’ pattern, women in the ‘wheat products’ pattern had higher odds of having a SGA infant for weight (multivariate OR 5·2, 95 % CI 1·1, 24·4), but this was not the case for birth length or head circumference. These results suggest that a diet high in bread, confectioneries, and soft drinks and low in fish and vegetables during pregnancy might be associated with a small birth weight and an increased risk of having a SGA infant.

scholarly journals Fetal programming in 2-year-old calving heifers: peri-conception and first trimester protein restriction alters fetal growth in a gender-specific manner

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 1333 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. J. Copping ◽  
A. Hoare ◽  
M. Callaghan ◽  
I. C. McMillen ◽  
R. J. Rodgers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Fetal Programming ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Dietary Intervention ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Protein Restriction ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Crown Rump Length

Protein restriction in early bovine gestation affects post-natal reproduction and production traits in progeny. This experiment evaluated the effects of dietary protein restriction during the peri-conception period and first trimester in yearling heifers on conceptus growth and development; this period of dietary intervention being earlier than any previous bovine fetal programming studies. Three-hundred and sixty primiparous 12-month-old Santa Gertrudis heifers were individually fed high [14% crude protein (CP)] or low (7% CP) diets for 60 days before conception. At 23 days post-conception (dpc), each high (HPERI) or low (LPERI) group was again split into high (HPOST) or low (LPOST) protein groups yielding four treatment groups in a 2 × 2 factorial design. From the end of the first trimester of gestation (98dpc), the pregnant heifers were individually fed a 12% CP diet until parturition. Forty-six fetuses were excised at 98dpc. Sixty-four heifers went on to calve. Conceptus development was assessed via transrectal ultrasound from 36dpc, fetal necropsy at 98dpc and live calf measures at term. At 36dpc, HPERI diet increased fetal crown–rump length (CRL) (P < 0.05) and at the 60dpc scan, biparietal diameter (BPD) tended to be increased by HPOST diet (P < 0.1) though the greater effect upon BPD was still the HPERI diet (P < 0.05). At 60dpc, BPD in the male fetus was affected by the peri-conception diet (P < 0.05), while in females, BPD was not different among nutritional groups. These ultrasound measures of fetal growth were validated by measures of the excised fetus at 98dpc. Fetal weight was heavier (P < 0.01) in those whose mothers were fed the HPOST diet than their LPOST counterparts. Males fetuses were heavier than female fetuses (P < 0.001). Fetal CRL was increased by HPERI diet (P < 0.05) and tended to be increased by HPOST diet (P < 0.1). Fetal BPD tended to be increased by HPERI diet (P < 0.1). In males, BPD tended to be increased in those fetuses whose mothers were fed HPERI (P < 0.1). For females, maternal nutrition during PERI or POST did not affect BPD at 98dpc (P > 0.1). At term, no dietary effect on birthweight was observed (P > 0.1) and males were not heavier than females (P > 0.1). These results suggest that maternal protein intake during the peri-conception (–60 to 23dpc) and first trimester (24–98dpc) may influence early conceptus growth and development in the bovine. The long-term effects on offspring metabolism and post-natal development of this dietary intervention are yet to be determined.

scholarly journals Maternal high-fat diet is associated with impaired fetal lung development

2015 ◽  
Vol 309 (4) ◽  
pp. L360-L368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reina S. Mayor ◽  
Katelyn E. Finch ◽  
Jordan Zehr ◽  
Eugenia Morselli ◽  
Michael D. Neinast ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Lung Development ◽  
Infant Health ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Fetal Lung ◽  
Postnatal Exposure ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Fetal Lung Development

Maternal nutrition has a profound long-term impact on infant health. Poor maternal nutrition influences placental development and fetal growth, resulting in low birth weight, which is strongly associated with the risk of developing chronic diseases, including heart disease, hypertension, asthma, and type 2 diabetes, later in life. Few studies have delineated the mechanisms by which maternal nutrition affects fetal lung development. Here, we report that maternal exposure to a diet high in fat (HFD) causes placental inflammation, resulting in placental insufficiency, fetal growth restriction (FGR), and inhibition of fetal lung development. Notably, pre- and postnatal exposure to maternal HFD also results in persistent alveolar simplification in the postnatal period. Our novel findings provide a strong association between maternal diet and fetal lung development.

scholarly journals PSI-19 Poor maternal nutrition during gestation alters placental IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGFBP-3 mRNA expression in sheep

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 255-255
Author(s):  
Caitlyn A Splaine ◽  
Maria L Hoffman ◽  
Amanda K Jones ◽  
Sambhu Pillai ◽  
Steven A Zinn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
National Research Council ◽  
Nutrient Sensing ◽  
Igf I ◽  
Igf Binding ◽  
Ovine Placenta ◽  
Igfbp 3

Abstract Insulin-like growth factors (IGF) modulate placental and fetal growth and development through nutrient sensing and endocrine signaling. We hypothesized that poor maternal nutrition during gestation would alter IGF-I, IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-2, and IGFBP-3 mRNA expression in the ovine placenta, but would not affect IGF-II mRNA expression. Pregnant ewes (n = 57) were individually fed: 60% (RES), 100% (CON), or 140% (OVER) of National Research Council requirements for TDN starting at day 30±0.2 of gestation. Ewes were euthanized and cotyledon and caruncle samples were collected at days 45, 90, and 135 of gestation. Relative mRNA expression of IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-3 was quantified using real-time PCR. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS. Relative IGF-I mRNA expression increased during gestation in the caruncle (d45: 0.96±0.06; d90: 1.28±0.06; d135: 1.38±0.05; P &lt; 0.001). In the caruncle, IGFBP-2 expression was greater at d90 and d135 than d45 (d45: 0.67±0.20; d90: 1.90±0.20; d135: 1.65±0.18; P &lt; 0.001). There was no observed effect of diet or day of gestation on IGF-II or IGFBP-3 expression in the caruncle. In the cotyledon, IGF-I expression tended to be greater in RES than OVER, which was similar to CON (CON: 0.96±0.07; RES: 1.10±0.06; OVER: 0.89±0.07; P = 0.08). Relative IGF-II mRNA expression was greater in RES cotyledons than OVER (CON: 1.30±0.35; RES: 1.96±0.31; OVER: 0.54±0.32; P = 0.01). During gestation, IGFBP-2 expression decreased in the cotyledon (d45: 1.26±0.12; d90: 0.93±0.12; d135: 0.59±0.11; P &lt; 0.001). Relative IGFBP-3 mRNA expression was less in RES cotyledons than in OVER or CON (CON: 1.84±0.64; RES: 0.03±0.57; OVER: 3.62±0.66;P &lt; 0.001). The changes in IGF expression in the cotyledon to a greater extent than in the caruncle in response to poor maternal diet suggest a potential mechanism by which maternal-fetal exchange may be modified to restrict placental and fetal growth.

Adaptability and potential for treatment of placental functions to improve embryonic development and postnatal health

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
James C. Cross
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Experimental Animals ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Lines Of Evidence ◽  
In Pregnancy

For an organ that is so critical for life in eutherian mammals, the placenta hardly gets the attention that it deserves. The placenta does a series of remarkable things, including implanting the embryo in the uterus, negotiating with the mother for nutrients but also protecting her health during pregnancy, helping establish normal metabolic and cardiovascular function for life postnatally (developmental programming) and initiating changes that prepare the mother to care for and suckle her young after birth. Different lines of evidence in experimental animals suggest that the development and function of the placenta are adaptable. This means that some of the changes observed in pathological pregnancies may represent attempts to mitigate the impact of fetal growth and development. Key and emerging concepts are reviewed here concerning how we may view the placenta diagnostically and therapeutically in pregnancy complications, focusing on information from experimental studies in mice, sheep and cattle, as well as association studies from humans. Hundreds of different genes have been shown to underlie normal placental development and function, some of which have promise as tractable targets for intervention in pregnancies at risk for poor fetal growth.

Diet during pregnancy, neonatal outcomes and later health

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivienne M. Moore ◽  
Michael J. Davies
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Neonatal Outcomes ◽  
Birth Size ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Adult Disease ◽  
Adverse Neonatal Outcomes ◽  
History Of ◽  
Newborn Size

Renewed interest in nutrition during pregnancy has been generated by the hypothesis that adult disease has origins in early life. Animal experiments clearly show that altering maternal diet before and during pregnancy can induce permanent changes in the offspring’s birth size, adult health and lifespan. Among women living in Western societies, cigarette smoking is the most important factor known to reduce fetal growth, followed by low pre-pregnancy weight and low gestational weight gain. Obesity is also associated with pregnancy complications and adverse neonatal outcomes, so inadequate or excessive energy intake is not optimal for the developing fetus. Against a history of inconsistent results, several recent studies suggest that in Western settings the balance of macronutrients in a woman’s diet can influence newborn size. Effects appear to be modest, but this relationship may not encapsulate the full significance for health of the child, as there is emerging evidence of associations with long-term metabolic functioning that are independent of birth size. Consequences of inadequate maternal nutrition, for the offspring, may depend on timing during gestation, reflecting critical windows for fetal development. Where women are not malnourished, changing a woman’s nutritional plane during pregnancy may be detrimental to the unborn baby, and systematic reviews of the literature on dietary supplementation during pregnancy indicate few benefits and possible risks. In view of this, improved diet before pregnancy deserves greater attention.

scholarly journals Maternal dietary patterns in pregnancy and the association with small-for-gestational-age infants

2010 ◽  
Vol 103 (11) ◽  
pp. 1665-1673 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. D. Thompson ◽  
Clare Wall ◽  
David M. O. Becroft ◽  
Elizabeth Robinson ◽  
Chris J. Wild ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Small For Gestational Age ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Western Society ◽  
Maternal Weight ◽  
In Pregnancy

Maternal nutritional status before and during pregnancy is important for the growth and development of the fetus. The effects of pre-pregnancy nutrition (estimated by maternal size) are well documented. There is little information in today's Western society on the effect of maternal nutrition during pregnancy on the fetus. The aim of the study was to describe dietary patterns of a cohort of mothers during pregnancy (using principal components analysis with a varimax rotation) and assess the effect of these dietary patterns on the risk of delivering a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) baby. The study was a case–control study investigating factors related to SGA. The population was 1714 subjects in Auckland, New Zealand, born between October 1995 and November 1997, about half of whom were born SGA ( ≤ 10th percentile for sex and gestation). Maternal dietary information was collected using FFQ after delivery for the first and last months of pregnancy. Three dietary patterns (traditional, junk and fusion) were defined. Factors associated with these dietary patterns when examined in multivariable analyses included marital status, maternal weight, maternal age and ethnicity. In multivariable analysis, mothers who had higher ‘traditional’ diet scores in early pregnancy were less likely to deliver a SGA infant (OR = 0·86; 95 % CI 0·75, 0·99). Maternal diet, particularly in early pregnancy, is important for the development of the fetus. Socio-demographic factors tend to be significantly related to dietary patterns, suggesting that extra resources may be necessary for disadvantaged mothers to ensure good nutrition in pregnancy.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document