Pregnancy Nutrition Core Outcome Set (PRENCOS): A core outcome set development study

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Maternal and Child Nutrition
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Standardized outcome measurement in pregnancy nutrition research is lacking.
• A consensus-driven approach is needed to identify critical outcomes for effective interventions.

Approach:

• A mixed-methods study involving systematic literature review, qualitative interviews, and a modified Delphi survey.
• Outcomes were categorized using the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) taxonomy.
• Consensus was reached through multi-stage voting and discussion among healthcare professionals, researchers, and women with pregnancy experience.

Key Points:

• Identified critical maternal outcomes including pregnancy/delivery complications, wellbeing, gestational weight, nutritional status, mental health, diet quality, and need for interventions.
• Identified critical infant outcomes such as pregnancy loss, birth defects, neonatal complications, and anthropometry.
• The Pregnancy Nutrition Core Outcome Set (PRENCOS) includes 12 critical outcomes voted on by 60 participants.

Conclusions:

• The PRENCOS provides a standardized framework for measuring essential outcomes in pregnancy nutrition research.
• Implementation of PRENCOS will enhance the consistency and relevance of research findings, aligning with stakeholder priorities.