The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between newborn outcomes and late prenatal care initiation after recognition of pregnancy. Results revealed that the average time lag from pregnancy recognition to prenatal care was not associated with poor newborn outcomes.
This overview of micronutrients during pregnancy and lactation emphasized two relatively neglected issues: (1) the importance of maternal micronutrient status in the periconceptional period, as well as throughout pregnancy and lactation, and (2) the occurrence of simultaneous multiple micronutrient deficiencies when diets are poor. Unfortunately, information is lacking on the optimal formulation of micronutrient supplements for pregnant and lactating women.
This position paper looked at women of childbearing ages and the importance of maintaining good nutritional status, through a lifestyle to optimize maternal health and reduce the risk of (1) birth defects, (2) suboptimal fetal growth and development, and (3) chronic health problems in their children. Most pregnant women need 2,200 to 2,900 kcal a day. However, body mass index before pregnancy, rate of weight gain, maternal age, and appetite must be taken into consideration for each individual.
In this review, the authors summarized current knowledge on maternal nutritional requirements during pregnancy, with a focus on birth outcomes. The researchers concluded that maternal nutrition was a modifiable risk factor of public health importance that could be integrated into efforts to prevent adverse birth outcomes, particularly among economically developing/low-income populations.
This study evaluated the diet quality of pregnant women in the North Dakota WIC Program, comparing Native Americans with whites. The differences in diet quality, while significant, were minimal. In general, their diets were not meeting recommendations. The researchers recommended interventions that targeted decreasing fat and increasing iron and folate, as well as increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables.
The authors examines dietary intake of pregnant women using the Diet Quality Index for Pregnancy (DQI-P), a new index developed to reflect current nutritional recommendations for pregnancy and national dietary guidelines. The highest overall DQI-P scores were identified in women who were older than 30, above 350% of the poverty level, nulliparous, and high school graduates. Additionally, higher-income, older, and better-educated women consumed higher amounts of vegetables. But, black, low-income, and nulliparous women consumed greater intakes of folate and iron.
This 1999 pilot study of 127 ethnically diverse mothers in the WIC Program addressed mental health symptomatology using the PrimeMD tool and mental healthcare utilization. Prevalence of anxiety symptoms differed by presence of support and self-perceived health status.
This study assessed maternal mental health and feeding styles by a telephone survey. Parenting, including non responsive feeding styles, has been related to young children being either under- or overweight. Mothers who reported stress, depression, or anxiety symptoms were at risk of non responsive feeding styles. These findings provided support for broadening the focus of existing child nutrition programs to include strategies that recognize how issues of maternal mental health could affect feeding styles.
The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between maternal depressive symptoms and the use of infant health services, parenting practices, and injury-prevention measures. A total of 48% of women had depressive symptoms at one or two time points (ever symptoms), and 12% had depressive symptoms at all points (persistent symptoms). There was no association between maternal depressive symptoms and infant receipt of well-child care or the likelihood of breastfeeding for 1 month or longer.
This study examines the relationship of depressive symptoms to psychosocial and lifestyle variables in postpartum women. The results revealed that neither body weight nor steps walked were related to depressive symptoms in the bivariate or regression analysis. However, stress and social support were related to symptoms.
