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Association Between Maternal Protein Intake and the Risk of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes
Suzette Rosas-Rogers1, Ronald Anguzu2, Alyssa M Hernandez1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
Nutrients
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Adequate protein intake during early pregnancy may reduce the risk of having a small for gestational age (SGA) baby. This study found moderate to high protein consumption was linked to lower SGA rates, but more research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Nutritional Science
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Low protein intake is a potential risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
- Understanding the relationship between maternal nutrition and fetal growth is crucial for improving birth outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between varying levels of protein intake and the incidence of small for gestational age (SGA), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP).
- To determine if protein intake influences the likelihood of large for gestational age (LGA) births.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of data from the Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-Be (NuMoM2b) cohort.
- Protein intake was quantified and categorized into quartiles (Q1-Q4) based on grams per kilogram of body weight per day.
- Multivariable regression models were employed to assess associations, adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates.
Main Results:
- A total of 7067 participants were analyzed, with lower protein intake observed in specific demographic groups.
- Women in the third quartile (Q3) of protein intake (0.8-<1.1 g/kg/day) showed significantly lower odds of delivering an SGA infant (<10th percentile).
- No significant associations were found between protein intake levels and rates of HDP, GDM, or LGA.
Conclusions:
- Moderate to high protein intake in the first trimester of pregnancy may be associated with a reduced risk of SGA.
- These findings are preliminary and warrant further investigation in larger, prospective studies to confirm the protective effect of protein on fetal growth.
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