Maternal dietary intake and anthropometric measurements of newborn at birth

Objective: To determine the association between maternal dietary intake and nutritional status during pregnancy with anthropometric measurements of the newborns at birth. Methods: An observational study was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan from December 2009 to April 2010. Expectant mothers were recruited from selected antenatal clinics after obtaining informed consent. On the basis of the expected weight-for-height of adult women during pregnancy, mothers were categorized into under- and well-nourished groups. Dietary profile of 100 mothers (48 from 1^st trimester and 52 from 3^rd trimester) was recorded by using “Food Frequency Questionnaire and 24 hour dietary recall”. Deliveries of 3^rd trimester group of mothers were followed. Anthropometric measurements of newborns were recorded. Results: Dietary profile of mothers showed that most of the mothers, regardless of trimester and nutritional status were consuming less than the recommended dietary intake. Fruit and vegetable intake was very low, pertaining to 96% and 93% of mothers respectively. Eighty percent mothers were consuming less than a serving of meat per day whereas 94% had low milk consumption per day. A significant negative association was noted between milk intake in well-nourished group and sub scapular skin fold thickness of the newborns at birth. Similarly, consumption of milk in undernourished mothers was also found associated negatively with mid upper arm circumference of the newborns (p<0.05). Conclusion: Overall energy intake was low in undernourished compared to well-nourished mothers during early gestation. Moreover, maternal dietary intake and nutritional status during pregnancy have impact on fetal body composition.