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Association between Maternal Nutrition and Preterm Birth: A Scoping Review
Zali Annesley1, Gillian A Corbett2, Fionnuala M McAuliffe2
1The University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM
|August 10, 2026
Summary
Optimizing nutrition during pregnancy, including specific micronutrient and macronutrient intake, can significantly reduce the risk of preterm birth. Dietary patterns rich in fruits and vegetables, like the Mediterranean diet, are protective.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Preterm birth is a primary global cause of mortality in children under five.
- Nutritional interventions present a viable strategy for modulating preterm birth risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review synthesizing evidence on nutrition as an intervention to reduce preterm birth risk.
- To identify specific dietary recommendations for preventing preterm birth.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane, EMBASE, Google Scholar) for studies published between 2000-2023.
- Inclusion criteria focused on human pregnancy populations with dietary interventions aimed at modulating preterm birth risk, including original research, cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, and randomized control trials.
- Data analysis involved risk of bias assessment and evidence summarization based on study results, guided by the PCC framework (Problem: Spontaneous preterm birth; Concept: nutrition; Context: Antenatal period).
Main Results:
- Analysis of 74 studies revealed strong evidence for protective factors against preterm birth: daily oral iron (60mg), folic acid (0.4mg), and multiple micronutrient supplements.
- Macronutrient recommendations include daily docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation (>800mg) from the second trimester and approximately three servings of fish weekly.
- Specific dietary patterns associated with decreased preterm birth risk include diets high in fruits, vegetables, oils, whole grains, and fiber, alongside adherence to the Mediterranean diet and avoidance of Western diets.
Conclusions:
- Nutrition plays a critical role in preventing preterm birth.
- Evidence-based dietary recommendations are valuable for pregnant women, healthcare providers, legislators, and regulatory bodies.