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Energy/protein restriction for high weight-for-height or weight gain during pregnancy
1Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, 1020 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, CANADA, H3A 1A2. mikek@epid.lan.mcgill.ca
Objectives:
To assess the effects of prescribing a low-energy diet to pregnant women who are either overweight, or who exhibited high weight gain earlier in gestation, on subsequent weight gain, pre-eclampsia, and the outcome of pregnancy.
Search Strategy:
The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register was searched and researchers in the field were contacted.
Selection Criteria:
All acceptably controlled comparisons of protein/energy restriction prescribed to pregnant women who meet one or both of the criteria listed above.
Data Collection And Analysis:
Data were extracted by the author from published reports, and supplemented by additional information from trialists contacted by the author.
Main Results:
Three studies involving 266 women were involved. Energy/protein restriction leads to a significant reduction in weekly maternal weight gain and in birth weight but has no clear effect on either pregnancy-induced hypertension or pre-eclampsia. Other outcomes, including fetal/infant mortality and other measures of maternal morbidity (eg Caesarean section) or long-term nutritional status, have not been reported.
Reviewer'S Conclusions:
Protein/energy restriction of pregnant women who are overweight or exhibit high weight gain is unlikely to be beneficial and may be harmful to the developing fetus.