Research

14 pages, 848 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Associations of Maternal Serum Iodine Concentration with Obstetric Complications and Birth Outcomes—Longitudinal Analysis Based on the Huizhou Mother–Infant Cohort, South China

by Zhao-Min Liu, Yi Wu, Huan-Huan Long, Chao-Gang Chen, Cheng Wang, Yan-Bin Ye, Zhen-Yu Shen, Ming-Tong Ye, Su-Juan Zhang, Min-Min Li and Wen-Jing Pan

Nutrients 2023, 15(13), 2868; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu15132868 - 25 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1064

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the temporal associations between maternal serum iodine concentration (SIC) and common pregnancy outcomes in Chinese women. Eligible singleton pregnant women aged 20–34 years were selected, and their fasting blood samples were collected during early (T1, n = 1101) [...] Read more.

This study aimed to explore the temporal associations between maternal serum iodine concentration (SIC) and common pregnancy outcomes in Chinese women. Eligible singleton pregnant women aged 20–34 years were selected, and their fasting blood samples were collected during early (T1, n = 1101) and mid-pregnancy (T2, n = 403) for SIC testing by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Multivariable linear regression indicated that log₁₀SIC at T1 (β = −0.082), T2 (β = −0.198), and their % change (β = −0.131) were inversely associated with gestational weight gain (GWG, all p < 0.05). Maternal log₁₀SIC at both T1 (β = 0.077) and T2 (β = 0.105) were positively associated with the Apgar score at 1 min (both p < 0.05). Women in the third quartile (Q3) of SIC at T1 had a lower risk of small for gestational age (SGA, OR = 0.405, 95% CI: 0.198–0.829) compared with those in Q4. Restricted cubic spline regression suggested a U-shaped association between SIC and SGA risk, and SIC above 94 μg/L at T1 was the starting point for an increased risk of SGA. The risk of premature rupture of membrane (PROM) increased by 96% (OR = 1.960, 95% CI: 1.010–3.804) in Q4 compared to that in Q1. Our longitudinal data from an iodine-replete region of China indicated that high maternal SIC could restrict GWG and improve Apgar scores at delivery, but might increase the risk of SGA and PROM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition in Pregnancy and Child)

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14 pages, 1119 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Relative Validation of a Food Frequency Questionnaire to Assess Non-Nutritive Sweeteners Intake among Pregnant Women in Santiago, Chile: A Pilot Study

by Sandra López-Arana, Rebeca Peralta, Verónica Sambra, Karen Abrigo, Gabriel Prado, Paola Cáceres, Bielka Carvajal and Martin Gotteland

Nutrients 2023, 15(11), 2518; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu15112518 - 29 May 2023

Viewed by 1497

Abstract

Studies on the effects of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs) among pregnant women are scarce and have produced mixed results. One of the major challenges is to accurately assess NNS intake, especially in countries that have implemented policies to prevent obesity and where many foods [...] Read more.

Studies on the effects of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs) among pregnant women are scarce and have produced mixed results. One of the major challenges is to accurately assess NNS intake, especially in countries that have implemented policies to prevent obesity and where many foods and beverages have been progressively reformulated to partially or totally replace sugar with NNSs. This study aimed to develop and assess the relative validity of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for use in pregnant women. We developed an FFQ to examine the intake of seven NNSs (acesulfame-k, aspartame, cyclamate, saccharin, sucralose, steviol glycosides, and D-tagatose). This questionnaire was piloted in 29 pregnant women (median age = 31.2 y; 25th–75th percentile: 26.9–34.7) to assess NNS intake over the previous month, compared to 3-day dietary records (3-DR). The validity of this dietary method was assessed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient, Lin´s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and Bland–Altman plots. Spearman’s correlations between the FFQ on NNSs and 3-DR ranged from 0.50 for acesulfame K to 0.83 for saccharin. CCC ranged between 0.22 and 0.66. The Bland–Altman plots showed an overestimation of saccharin, sucralose, and steviol glycosides intake by the FFQ on NNSs compared with 3-DR, and an underestimation of acesulfame K and aspartame. Overall, the NNSs most frequently consumed were sucralose, and none of the participants exceeded the acceptable daily intake for any of the NNSs evaluated. The FFQ on NNSs seems to be reasonably valid in the assessment of NNSs among pregnant women. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition in Pregnancy and Child)

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21 pages, 937 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Omega-3 Fatty Acids during Pregnancy in Indigenous Australian Women of the Gomeroi Gaaynggal Cohort

by Natalie L. Gray, Isobel Stoodley, Lisa G. Wood, Clare E. Collins, Leanne J. Brown, Kym M. Rae, Kirsty G. Pringle, Tracy L. Schumacher and the Gomeroi Gaaynggal Advisory Committee

Nutrients 2023, 15(8), 1943; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu15081943 - 18 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1346

Abstract

Higher dietary intakes of Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFAs) have been linked to lower rates of preterm birth and preeclampsia. The aim of this analysis was to describe dietary intake and fractions of red blood cell (RBC) membrane LC-PUFAs [...] Read more.

Higher dietary intakes of Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFAs) have been linked to lower rates of preterm birth and preeclampsia. The aim of this analysis was to describe dietary intake and fractions of red blood cell (RBC) membrane LC-PUFAs during pregnancy in a cohort of Indigenous Australian women. Maternal dietary intake was assessed using two validated dietary assessment tools and quantified using the AUSNUT (Australian Food and Nutrient) 2011–2013 database. Analysis from a 3-month food frequency questionnaire indicated that 83% of this cohort met national n-3 LC-PUFA recommendations, with 59% meeting alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) recommendations. No nutritional supplements used by the women contained n-3 LC-PUFAs. Over 90% of women had no detectable level of ALA in their RBC membranes, and the median Omega-3 Index was 5.5%. This analysis appears to illustrate a decline in concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) across gestation in women who had preterm birth. However, there was no visible trend in LC-PUFA fractions in women who experienced hypertension during pregnancy. Further research is needed to better understand the link between dietary intake of n-3 LC-PUFA-rich foods and the role of fatty acids in preterm birth and preeclampsia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition in Pregnancy and Child)

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11 pages, 1659 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Association between Maternal B Vitamins in Early Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Prospective Cohort Study

by Na Wang, Tianchun Zhou, Xiaoxia Ma, Yuping Lin and Yan Ding

Nutrients 2022, 14(23), 5016; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu14235016 - 25 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2306

Abstract

Background: This study evaluated the association between maternal B vitamins in early pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk. Methods: A cohort of 1265 pregnant women was recruited at 8–15 weeks of gestation in 2021–2022 (Shanghai, China). Pregnancies with both serum B vitamin [...] Read more.

Background: This study evaluated the association between maternal B vitamins in early pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk. Methods: A cohort of 1265 pregnant women was recruited at 8–15 weeks of gestation in 2021–2022 (Shanghai, China). Pregnancies with both serum B vitamin measurements at recruitment and glucose measurements at 24–28 weeks of gestation were included in the final analysis. Results: Of the 1065 pregnancies, in the final analysis, GDM occurred in 121 women (11.36%). In multivariate logistic models, an increased risk trend across serum vitamin B₁ quartiles with GDM was observed (p-Trend = 0.001). Compared with women in the lowest quartile of serum vitamin B₆, those in the upper two quartiles had approximately twofold higher odds of GDM. Moreover, compared with women with vitamin B₁₂ levels < 150 pmol/L, those with vitamin B₁₂ levels > 150 pmol/L had lower odds of GDM (p = 0.005). The restricted cubic spline regression models also revealed that serum vitamin B₆ and vitamin B₁₂ were associated with an increased risk of GDM in a nonlinear fashion. Conclusions: Our study shows that higher maternal serum vitamin B₁ and B₆ levels in early pregnancy are associated with increased GDM risk, while sufficient vitamin B₁₂ status is associated with lower GDM risk. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition in Pregnancy and Child)

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Graphical abstract

14 pages, 1141 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Associations of Maternal Consumption of Dairy Products during Pregnancy with Perinatal Fatty Acids Profile in the EDEN Cohort Study

by Wen Lun Yuan, Jonathan Y. Bernard, Martine Armand, Catherine Sarté, Marie Aline Charles and Barbara Heude

Nutrients 2022, 14(8), 1636; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu14081636 - 14 Apr 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1709

Abstract

Maternal diet is the main source of fatty acids for developing offspring in-utero and in breastfed infants. Dairy products (DP) are important sources of fat in the European population diet. C15:0 and C17:0 fatty acids have been suggested as biomarkers of dairy fat [...] Read more.

Maternal diet is the main source of fatty acids for developing offspring in-utero and in breastfed infants. Dairy products (DP) are important sources of fat in the European population diet. C15:0 and C17:0 fatty acids have been suggested as biomarkers of dairy fat consumption. This study’s aim is to describe the associations between maternal DP (milk included) consumption during pregnancy and C15:0, C17:0 and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels in perinatal biofluids. Study populations were composed of 1763, 1337 and 879 French mothers from the EDEN (“Étude des Déterminants pre- et post-natals de la santé de l’ENfant”) study, with data on maternal and cord red blood cells’ (RBC) membrane and colostrum, respectively. Associations were assessed using linear regression models adjusted for recruitment center, maternal age, healthy dietary pattern or fish consumption. Greater adherence to a ”cheese” consumption pattern was associated with lower linoleic acid level in colostrum and higher C15:0 and C17:0 levels but in a less consistent manner for C17:0 across biofluids. Greater adherence to “semi-skimmed milk, yogurt” and “reduced-fat DP” patterns was related to higher docosahexaenoic acid and total n-3 PUFA levels and lower n-6/n-3 long-chain PUFA ratio in maternal and cord RBC. Our results suggest that C15:0 could be a good biomarker of maternal dairy fat consumption in perinatal biofluids. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition in Pregnancy and Child)

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12 pages, 801 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficacy and Safety of Ferrous Bisglycinate and Folinic Acid in the Control of Iron Deficiency in Pregnant Women: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

by Akkarach Bumrungpert, Patcharanee Pavadhgul, Theera Piromsawasdi and M. R. Mozafari

Nutrients 2022, 14(3), 452; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu14030452 - 20 Jan 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 8017

Abstract

Iron deficiency in pregnancy is a major public health problem that causes maternal complications. The objective of this randomized, controlled trial was to examine the bioavailability, efficacy, and safety of oral ferrous bisglycinate plus folinic acid supplementation in pregnant women with iron deficiency. [...] Read more.

Iron deficiency in pregnancy is a major public health problem that causes maternal complications. The objective of this randomized, controlled trial was to examine the bioavailability, efficacy, and safety of oral ferrous bisglycinate plus folinic acid supplementation in pregnant women with iron deficiency. Subjects (12–16 weeks of gestation, n = 120) were randomly allocated to receive oral iron as ferrous bisglycinate (equiv. iron 24 mg) in supplement form with folinic acid and multivitamins (test group, n = 60) or as ferrous fumarate (equiv. iron 66 mg iron, control group, n = 60) after breakfast daily. Iron absorption was assessed by measuring fasted serum iron levels at 1 and 2 h immediately after supplementation. Hematological biomarkers and iron status were assessed before intervention, and at 3 and 6 months. Side effects were monitored throughout the intervention. A significant increase in serum iron was seen in both groups (p < 0.001) during the bioavailability assessment; however, the test group increases were comparatively higher than the control values at each timepoint (p < 0.001). Similarly, both test and control groups demonstrated a statistically significant increases in hemoglobin (Hb) (p < 0.001), erythrocytes (p < 0.001), reticulocytes (p < 0.001), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (p < 0.001), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) (p < 0.001), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (p < 0.001), % transferrin saturation (p < 0.001), and ferritin (p < 0.001) at 3 and 6 months after supplementation. However, in all cases, the test group increases were numerically larger than the control group increases at each timepoint. The test intervention was also associated with significantly fewer reports of nausea, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, or metallic taste (p < 0.001). In conclusion, ferrous bisglycinate with folinic acid as a multivitamin nutraceutical format is comparable to standard ferrous fumarate for the clinical management of iron deficiency during pregnancy, with comparatively better absorption, tolerability, and efficacy and with a lower elemental iron dosage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition in Pregnancy and Child)

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Review

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19 pages, 371 KiB

Open AccessReview

Review of Dietary Recommendations for Twin Pregnancy: Does Nutrition Science Keep Up with the Growing Incidence of Multiple Gestations?

by Regina Ewa Wierzejska

Nutrients 2022, 14(6), 1143; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu14061143 - 08 Mar 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5474

Abstract

Recommendations for nutrition and the use of dietary supplements for pregnant women are updated on regular basis but it remains to be seen to what extent they may be applicable in twin pregnancies. The aim of this narrative review is to present the [...] Read more.

Recommendations for nutrition and the use of dietary supplements for pregnant women are updated on regular basis but it remains to be seen to what extent they may be applicable in twin pregnancies. The aim of this narrative review is to present the current state of knowledge about the energy and nutrient demand in twin pregnancy. There is general consensus in literature that the energy demand is higher than in a singleton pregnancy, but there is a lack of position statements from scientific societies on specific energy intake that is required. In turn, recommended maternal weight gain, which favors the normal weight of the neonate, has been determined. There is even a larger knowledge gap when it comes to vitamins and minerals, the body stores of which are theoretically used up faster. The greatest number of studies so far focused on vitamin D, and most of them concluded that its concentration in maternal blood is lower in twin as compared to singleton pregnancy. Few randomized studies focus on iron supplementation and there are no other studies that would assess dietary interventions. In light of a growing incidence of multiple pregnancies, more studies are necessary to establish the nutritional demands of the mother and the course of action for adequate supplementation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition in Pregnancy and Child)

22 pages, 1004 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Prenatal Folate and Choline Levels and Brain and Cognitive Development in Children: A Critical Narrative Review

by Nathalie Irvine, Gillian England-Mason, Catherine J. Field, Deborah Dewey and Fariba Aghajafari

Nutrients 2022, 14(2), 364; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu14020364 - 15 Jan 2022

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 12045

Abstract

Women’s nutritional status during pregnancy can have long-term effects on children’s brains and cognitive development. Folate and choline are methyl-donor nutrients and are important for closure of the neural tube during fetal development. They have also been associated with brain and cognitive development [...] Read more.

Women’s nutritional status during pregnancy can have long-term effects on children’s brains and cognitive development. Folate and choline are methyl-donor nutrients and are important for closure of the neural tube during fetal development. They have also been associated with brain and cognitive development in children. Animal studies have observed that prenatal folate and choline supplementation is associated with better cognitive outcomes in offspring and that these nutrients may have interactive effects on brain development. Although some human studies have reported associations between maternal folate and choline levels and child cognitive outcomes, results are not consistent, and no human studies have investigated the potential interactive effects of folate and choline. This lack of consistency could be due to differences in the methods used to assess folate and choline levels, the gestational trimester at which they were measured, and lack of consideration of potential confounding variables. This narrative review discusses and critically reviews current research examining the associations between maternal levels of folate and choline during pregnancy and brain and cognitive development in children. Directions for future research that will increase our understanding of the effects of these nutrients on children’s neurodevelopment are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition in Pregnancy and Child)

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Other

Jump to: Research, Review

13 pages, 1023 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Ramadan Fasting during Pregnancy and Health Outcomes in Offspring: A Systematic Review

by Violet N. L. Oosterwijk, Joyce M. Molenaar, Lily A. van Bilsen and Jessica C. Kiefte-de Jong

Nutrients 2021, 13(10), 3450; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nu13103450 - 29 Sep 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 6055

Abstract

Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, during which fasting is obligatory for all healthy individuals. Although pregnant women are exempt from this Islamic law, the majority nevertheless choose to fast. This review aims to identify the effects of Ramadan fasting [...] Read more.

Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, during which fasting is obligatory for all healthy individuals. Although pregnant women are exempt from this Islamic law, the majority nevertheless choose to fast. This review aims to identify the effects of Ramadan fasting on the offspring of Muslim mothers, particularly on fetal growth, birth indices, cognitive effects and long-term effects. A systematic literature search was conducted until March 2020 in Web of Science, Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Embase and Google Scholar. Studies were evaluated based on a pre-defined quality score ranging from 0 (low quality) to 10 (high quality), and 43 articles were included. The study quality ranged from 2 to 9 with a mean quality score of 5.4. Only 3 studies had a high quality score (>7), of which one found a lower birth weight among fasting women. Few medium quality studies found a significant negative effect on fetal growth or birth indices. The quality of articles that investigated cognitive and long-term effects was poor. The association between Ramadan fasting and health outcomes of offspring is not supported by strong evidence. To further elucidate the effects of Ramadan fasting, larger prospective and retrospective studies with novel designs are needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition in Pregnancy and Child)

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