![]() Extra energy is required for the synthesis of new tissue (foetus, placenta and amniotic fluid) and the growth of existing tissue (uterus, breast and maternal adipose tissue). During pregnancy, the maternal diet must provide an adequate supply of energy to support the mother’s usual requirements as well as those of the growing foetus. Rather, we aimed to describe the current state of knowledge on this topic and recast it in an objective manner and in an accessible and compact form.Įnergy intake is the main determinant of gestational weight gain. This review is non-systematic and is not intended to introduce new data or conclusions, nor does it address some aspects related to food-borne illnesses in pregnancy (listeriosis, toxoplasmosis, etc.) or food-related substances (pesticides, preservatives, heavy metals, etc.). The purpose of this narrative literature review is to synthesize the most recent evidence, primarily from randomised controlled trials and large-scale meta-analyses, to provide an overview of what is currently known regarding macronutrient and micronutrient requirements during pregnancy, consequences of deficiencies, risks and benefits of supplementation and areas for future research. ![]() Given these limitations and the large number of newly published studies over the last few years, a comprehensive updated review on this topic is pertinent. Many reviews describing macro- and micro-nutriture in relation to pregnancy outcomes have also overlooked some important nutrients such as zinc, fibre or B-complex vitamins (B 1, B 2, B 3) or less-reported aspects of the diet such as alcohol and caffeine intake. Published systematic and narrative reviews examining nutrition in pregnancy have tended to focus primarily on micronutrients or have examined specific nutrients in isolation such as carbohydrates, folic acid or vitamin D or specific outcomes such as birth defects or pregnancy loss. A number of studies and comprehensive meta-analyses have been published over the last few years linking nutritional intake or lack thereof, to maternofoetal outcomes however, there remain several areas of uncertainty. ĭespite a large body of evidence supporting the importance of adequate nutrition in pregnancy, around 20% to 30% of pregnant women worldwide suffer from some vitamin deficiency. As such, supplement use may be prescribed and food fortification programs such as salt iodization, vitamin D-fortified milk and folate-fortified breads and cereals also play an important role in supporting women to meet the increased nutritional demands of pregnancy. Although a healthy and varied diet remains the preferred means of meeting nutritional requirements, some nutritional needs in pregnancy are challenging to meet with diet alone. ![]() Increasing evidence suggests that the effects of foetal nutrition may persist well into adulthood, with possible intergenerational effects. Poor dietary intakes or deficiencies in key macronutrients and micronutrients can therefore have a substantial impact on pregnancy outcomes and neonatal health. Nutritional requirements increase during pregnancy to maintain maternal metabolism and tissue accretion while supporting foetal growth and development. Pregnancy is a time of rapid and profound physiological changes from the time of conception until birth. In this review, we provide an overview of the most recent evidence pertaining to macronutrient and micronutrient requirements during pregnancy, the risks and consequences of deficiencies and the effects of supplementation on pregnancy outcomes. Although gaps in knowledge remain, research linking nutrition during pregnancy to maternofoetal outcomes has made dramatic advances over the last few years. Newly published studies support the use of calcium supplementation to prevent hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, particularly in women at high risk or with low dietary calcium intake. Certain micronutrients are also vital for improving pregnancy outcomes, including folic acid to prevent neural tube defects and iodine to prevent cretinism. Modulating carbohydrate intake via a reduced glycaemic index or glycaemic load diet may prevent gestational diabetes and large-for-gestational-age infants. In undernourished women, balanced energy/protein supplementation may increase birthweight whereas high protein supplementation could have adverse effects on foetal growth. Energy restriction can limit gestational weight gain in women with obesity however, there is insufficient evidence to support energy restriction during pregnancy. ![]() Requirements for macronutrients such as energy and protein increase during pregnancy to maintain maternal homeostasis while supporting foetal growth. Nutritional status during pregnancy can have a significant impact on maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
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