Current issues and perspectives in prenatal nutrition

Abstract

See, stats, and : https : / / www. researchgate . net / publication / 228471496 Current nutrition Article CITATION 1 READS 151 5, including : John University 255 , 826 SEE Robert 163 , 221 SEE Baha University 794 , 762 SEE All - text , letting . Available : Robert Retrieved : 07 Abstract : The typical American diet , characterized by energy - dense foods rich in starches , sugars , and saturated fats , and low in fruits and vegetables , is relatively unhealthy and is associ - ated with nutritional deficiencies . Suboptimal diets for pregnant women have been associated with serious maternal medical complications (eg , iron deficiency anemia , high blood pressure , gestational diabetes , and morning sickness) , as well as an increased risk of intrauterine growth restriction , birth defects , developmental delays after birth , and future chronic health problems , (eg , heart disease , type 2 diabetes , high blood pressure , and high cholesterol) during childhood , as well as later in life . Folic acid deficiency is one of the most common problems among pregnant women , and supplementation with folic acid during pregnancy has been reported to decrease the occurrence and recurrence of fetal neural tube defects . Folate supplementation beginning preconception , along with a multivitamin , at least 12 weeks prior to conception is recommended to achieve maximal risk reduction . The reported benefits of supplementing docosahexaenoic acid , an unsaturated omega - 3 essential fatty acid , during pregnancy include promoting proper neurodevelopment in fetuses and infants that extends into childhood . Pregnancy is also associ - ated with an increased susceptibility to oxidative stress , resulting from the imbalance between oxygen free radicals and the essential antioxidants that maintain homeostasis . Associated complications include preeclampsia , preterm labor , and intrauterine growth restriction . There is not enough evidence to support routine use of antioxidants , such as vitamins C and E during pregnancy , but coenzyme Q10 and lycopene are additional antioxidants under study and are yielding promising results by decreasing the occurrence of maternal complications .