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Author Spotlight: Studying the Impact of Maternal Dietary Deficiencies on Long-Term Offspring Health Outcomes
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Author Spotlight: Studying the Impact of Maternal Dietary Deficiencies on Long-Term Offspring Health Outcomes

Published on: June 28, 2024

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An observational study on Ca supplementation and dietary intake during pregnancy on low birth weight and small for

Wei Dai1, Xiaohui Deng2, Lanlan Li1

  • 1Department of Pharmacy, Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child Care Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China.

Public Health Nutrition
|November 4, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Calcium supplementation and adequate dietary calcium intake during pregnancy significantly reduce the risk of low birth weight (LBW) infants, particularly for first-time mothers. These findings highlight the importance of calcium for healthy fetal development.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Maternal and Child Health
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA) are critical indicators of infant health.
  • Maternal nutrition, particularly calcium (Ca) intake, plays a vital role in fetal growth and development.
  • Understanding the impact of Ca supplementation and dietary intake during pregnancy is crucial for improving birth outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between dietary calcium intake and calcium supplementation during pregnancy and the incidence of LBW and SGA infants.
  • To evaluate the specific effects of calcium supplementation timing (pre-conception and during pregnancy) on birth outcomes.
  • To determine the relationship between varying levels of dietary calcium intake and the risk of LBW and SGA.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective birth cohort study was conducted involving 9595 pregnant women in Lanzhou, China (2010-2012).
  • Data were collected on maternal demographics, dietary calcium intake, and calcium supplementation use.
  • Statistical analyses, including odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), were used to assess the associations.

Main Results:

  • Calcium supplementation was associated with a reduced risk of LBW infants (OR = 0.77) and LBW infants born to nulliparous women (OR = 0.75).
  • Supplementation before conception and during pregnancy showed a stronger association with reduced LBW risk in nulliparous women (OR = 0.44).
  • Higher dietary calcium intake during pregnancy was linked to decreased risks of both LBW (ORs ranging from 0.68 to 0.72) and SGA infants (ORs ranging from 0.71 to 0.77).

Conclusions:

  • Calcium supplementation during pregnancy is associated with a lower risk of low birth weight infants, especially in nulliparous women.
  • Adequate dietary calcium intake during pregnancy also contributes to reducing the risk of LBW and SGA infants.
  • These findings underscore the importance of ensuring sufficient calcium levels through diet and supplementation for improved pregnancy outcomes.
Abstract

Keywords:
Ca supplementationDietary Ca intakeInfantLow birth weightSmall for gestational age

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