Differentiated approach to vitamin deficiency prevention at the stages of pregravid preparation and management of pregnancy

Abstract

Adequate balanced nutrition of a woman is one of the most important aspects at the stages of pregravid preparation, during pregnancy and lactation. The needs for vitamins and minerals increase by 20–50% during pregnancy and lactation. Considering that the mother’s body is the only source of vitamins and minerals for the growing and developing fetus, adequate nutrition of the mother becomes one of the underlying determinants of the development period of the child’s health in the future. Particular attention should be paid to the supplement of folates, iodine, iron, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. These microelements are critical to the healthy development of the fetus, the prevention of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, premature birth and fetal congenital anomalies. However, the studies show that a significant number of women suffer from shortage of vitamins and minerals during pregravid preparation, pregnancy and lactation. Moreover, a combined deficiency of three or more vitamins is identified in 70–80% of the examined women, regardless of age, region of residence, occupation and season. In cases when a woman fails to achieve an adequate and balanced diet during these periods, vitamin and mineral support helps reduce the risk of pregnancy complications and fetal congenital anomalies. An individual differentiated approach to the prescription of vitamin-mineral complexes for women in these periods is perspective in terms of effective prevention of pregnancy complications and fetal congenital anomalies. The article discusses the principles of adequate vitamin deficiency prevention at the stage of pregravid preparation and at different stages of pregnancy.