Energy/protein restriction for high weight-for-height or weight gain during pregnancy

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Background pending.OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of prescribing a low-energy diet to pregnant women who are either overweight, or who exhibited high weight gain earlier in gestation, on subsequent weight gain, pre-eclampsia, and the outcome of pregnancy.SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register was searched and researchers in the field were contacted. Date of last search: October 2001.SELECTION CRITERIA: All acceptably controlled comparisons of protein/energy restriction prescribed to pregnant women who meet one or both of the criteria listed above.DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were extracted by the author from published reports, and supplemented by additional information from trialists contacted by the author.MAIN RESULTS: Three studies involving 266 women were involved. Energy/protein restriction leads to a significant reduction in weekly maternal weight gain and in birth weight but has no clear effect on either pregnancy-induced hypertension or pre-eclampsia. Other outcomes, including fetal/infant mortality and other measures of maternal morbidity (eg Caesarean section) or long-term nutritional status, have not been reported.AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Protein/energy restriction of pregnant women who are overweight or exhibit high weight gain is unlikely to be beneficial and may be harmful to the developing fetus.