Cited by 64Birth, Development, and HealthNutritional Studies and DietMaternal and Neonatal Healthcare

Dietary guidelines for pregnancy: a review of current evidence

Open access
Jackson, AA, Robinson, SM·2001·Public Health Nutrition

Abstract

In a successful pregnancy maternal health is maintained, a healthy baby is delivered and the mother is able to nurture her newborn adequately. Despite continued interest in the role and importance of maternal diet in this process, we do not have a clear understanding of how the nutritional status of the mother influences fetal growth and development. Recent epidemiological evidence of an association between poor fetal growth and adult disease highlights the need to reconsider the influences which act on the fetus, and the role maternal nutrition may play. Nutrient needs are increased in pregnancy. For the mother to be solely dependent upon her dietary intake to meet these demands, would represent a very high risk strategy. Hence adequate reserves are important for a successful outcome. Whilst there are numerous observational studies of diet during pregnancy, there are only limited data from well-controlled, randomised supplementation studies. A recent systematic review showed only dietary supplements balanced in energy and protein content to result consistently in improved fetal growth. There is no strong evidence that nutrient supplements confer benefit in women without overt deficiency. To interpret future dietary studies in pregnancy we need to consider metabolic differences between women which may influence their ability to meet fetal nutrient demand, to allow for nutrient–nutrient interactions, and to take account of differences in timing in gestation. Consideration of these factors in studies of pregnancy, will lead to a clearer understanding of the links between maternal diet and fetal growth and development. Until we have this understanding, it is reasonable to expect that women entering pregnancy are provided with a diet which is adequate, based upon our normal understanding of requirements, and it is not acceptable for women to be expected to carry a pregnancy with an obvious or overt nutritional deficiency.

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  • Maternal nutrition significantly influences fetal development and is particularly crucial during pregnancy because it largely determines nutrients available to support the growing fetus, placenta and maternal tissues.

    “Maternal nutrition significantly influences the trajectory of fetal development and is particularly crucial during pregnancy [155] given it largely determines the nutrients available to support the growing fetus, placenta and maternal tissues.”

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Institute of Medicine. Nutrition during pregnancy. Washing- ton: National Academy Press, 1990.
  2. Kramer MS. Determinants of low birthweight: methodologi- cal assessment and meta-analysis. Bull. WHO 1987; 65: 663± 737.
  3. Kovacs L, Molnar BG, Huhn E, Bodis L. Magnesium substitution in pregnancy. A prospective randomized dou- ble-blind study. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkunde 1988; 48: 595±600.

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Authors
Jackson, A., & Robinson, S.
Affiliations
  • Southampton General Hospital (GB)
  • University of Southampton
Corresponding author
Jackson, AA
Venue
Public Health Nutrition
Published
2001-04
Volume
4
Issue
2b
Pages
625-630
ISSN
  • 1368-9800 (ISSN-L)
  • 1475-2727
OpenAlex
W2146883716
Cited by
64
References
44
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2016: 3 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 1
FWCI
0.49
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Public Health Nutrition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Birth, Development, and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
Keywords
maternal nutrition, fetal growth, fetal development, nutrient supplementation, maternal nutritional status, pregnancy timing, maternal health, infant health
MeSH terms
Europe, Female, Embryonic and Fetal Development, Humans, Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Nutritional Requirements, Nutritional Status, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Outcome, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects, Nutrition Policy, Dietary Supplements

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