Prenatal Diet and Child Growth at 18 Months

Our objective was to evaluate the effect of an antenatal dietary and lifestyle intervention in pregnant women who are overweight or obese on child outcomes at age 18 months.

We conducted a follow-up study of children at 18 months of age who were born to women who participated in the Limiting Weight Gain in Overweight and Obese Women during Pregnancy to Improve Health Outcomes randomized trial. The primary follow-up study outcome was prevalence of child BMI z scores >85th percentile. Secondary study outcomes included a range of anthropometric measures, neurodevelopment, general health, and child feeding. Intention to treat principles were used in analyses, according to the treatment group allocated at randomization.

A total of 1602 children were assessed at age 18 months (lifestyle advice, n = 816; standard care, n = 786), representing 75.0% of the eligible sample (n = 2136). There were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of child BMI z scores >85th percentile for children born to women in the lifestyle advice group, compared with the standard care group (lifestyle advice, 505 [47.11%] versus standard care, 483 [45.36%]; adjusted relative risk: 1.04; 95% confidence interval: 0.94 to 1.16; P = .45). There was no evidence of effects on child growth, adiposity, neurodevelopment, or dietary and physical activity patterns.

There is no evidence that providing pregnant women who were overweight or obese with an antenatal dietary and lifestyle intervention altered 18-month child growth and adiposity.