A review of the impact of dietary intakes in human pregnancy on infant birthweight.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the impact of dietary patterns, including low-fat dairy, on infant birthweight.
Results Summary
Consumption of whole foods such as low-fat dairy during pregnancy appears beneficial for appropriate birthweight, though specific efficacy data for dairy alone is not isolated.
Population
Pregnant women
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Throughout pregnancy (duration not specified)
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
omega-3 fatty acid supplements | no change | low birthweight (LBW) | - | insufficient evidence | insufficient evidence for ability to reduce risk | #1 |
zinc, calcium, and/or vitamin D supplementation | neutral | - | - | - | more robust evidence needs to be established | #2 |
iron supplementation | increase | birthweight | - | - | appears to increase | #3 |
iron supplementation | increase | maternal hemoglobin concentrations | - | - | increases | #4 |
folic acid supplements | no change | low birthweight (LBW) | - | limited evidence | limited evidence supporting the use to reduce the risk | #5 |
folic acid supplements | increase | birthweight | - | ~130 g | may increase | #6 |
consumption of whole foods such as fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and lean meats | increase | appropriate birthweight | - | - | appears beneficial for | #7 |
Studies assessing maternal dietary intakes and the relationship with birthweight are inconsistent, thus attempting to draw inferences on the role of maternal nutrition in determining the fetal growth trajectory is difficult. The aim of this review is to provide updated evidence from epidemiological and randomized controlled trials on the impact of dietary and supplemental intakes of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, zinc, folate, iron, calcium, and vitamin D, as well as dietary patterns, on infant birthweight. A comprehensive review of the literature was undertaken via the electronic databases Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and Medline. Included articles were those published in English, in scholarly journals, and which provided information about diet and nutrition during pregnancy and infant birthweight. There is insufficient evidence for omega-3 fatty acid supplements' ability to reduce risk of low birthweight (LBW), and more robust evidence from studies supplementing with zinc, calcium, and/or vitamin D needs to be established. Iron supplementation appears to increase birthweight, particularly when there are increases in maternal hemoglobin concentrations in the third trimester. There is limited evidence supporting the use of folic acid supplements to reduce the risk for LBW; however, supplementation may increase birthweight by ~130 g. Consumption of whole foods such as fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and lean meats throughout pregnancy appears beneficial for appropriate birthweight. Intervention studies with an understanding of optimal dietary patterns may provide promising results for both maternal and perinatal health. Outcomes from these studies will help determine what sort of dietary advice could be promoted to women during pregnancy in order to promote the best health for themselves and their baby.