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Published on: January 12, 2018
Preconception Care: A New Standard of Care within Maternal Health Services
Stephen J Genuis1, Rebecca A Genuis2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T5H 3V9; University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Insights
Prenatal environmental factors significantly impact pediatric health. Modifying these factors before conception can prevent future chronic illnesses and developmental issues in children.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Pediatric illnesses often originate during fetal development, influenced by prenatal factors like nutrient deficiencies and toxicant exposure.
- Recent research highlights modifiable environmental determinants as primary causes of chronic diseases, shifting focus from genetic predestination.
- Clinicians often lack adequate training in nutrition, toxicology, and environmental health to counsel patients effectively on preconception modifications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To emphasize the critical role of prenatal environmental factors in pediatric health.
- To advocate for enhanced environmental health education for maternity health professionals.
- To promote the implementation of preconception care to mitigate preventable childhood illnesses.
Main Methods:
- Review of emerging scientific literature on prenatal environmental influences and chronic disease etiology.
- Analysis of the current limitations in clinical training regarding environmental health and nutrition.
- Formulation of recommendations for improved preconception care and health professional education.
Main Results:
- Prenatal exposures and nutrient deficiencies are key etiological factors in numerous pediatric diseases and obstetrical complications.
- Modification of environmental factors prior to conception presents a viable strategy for preventing adverse mental and physical health outcomes.
- Current clinical practice is inadequately equipped to address environmental and lifestyle modifications crucial for reproductive health.
Conclusions:
- Failure to act on existing scientific evidence regarding modifiable gestational determinants may lead to preventable pediatric illnesses.
- Environmental health education for maternity health professionals is essential.
- Widespread adoption of preconception care, informed by scientific research, is necessary to protect child health.
Abstract:
Emerging research suggests that much pediatric affliction has origins in the vulnerable phase of fetal development. Prenatal factors including deficiency of various nutrients and exposure to assorted toxicants are major etiological determinants of myriad obstetrical complications, pediatric chronic diseases, and perhaps some genetic mutations. With recent recognition that modifiable environmental determinants, rather than genetic predestination, are the etiological source of most chronic illness, modification of environmental factors prior to conception offers the possibility of precluding various mental and physical health conditions. Environmental and lifestyle modification through informed patient choice is possible but evidence confirms that, with little to no training in clinical nutrition, toxicology, or environmental exposures, most clinicians are ill-equipped to counsel patients about this important area. With the totality of available scientific evidence that now exists on the potential to modify disease-causing gestational determinants, failure to take necessary precautionary action may render members of the medical community collectively and individually culpable for preventable illness in children. We advocate for environmental health education of maternity health professionals and the widespread adoption and implementation of preconception care. This will necessitate the translation of emerging knowledge from recent research literature, to health professionals, to reproductive-aged women, and to society at large.
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