Maternal undernutrition and intrauterine growth restriction

Abstract

Though many countries are on-track in reducing poverty, less than a quarter of developing countries are on-track for achieving the goal of halving undernutrition. Maternal undernutrition is widely prevalent among women in the developing countries and encompasses both chronic energy as well as micronutrient deficiencies. Maternal undernutrition leads to intrauterine growth restriction and consequent low birth weight, stunting, wasting, underweight and other micronutrient deficiencies along with conditions predisposing to mortality. There are no effective therapies to reverse intrauterine growth restriction; hence focus should be on preventive strategies. In developing countries, the interventions likely to have the largest impact on intrauterine growth include caloric and micronutrient supplementation before and during pregnancy, coupled with supportive strategies for improving nutrition.