Maternal fruit and vegetable consumption in relation to newborn anthropometric outcomes

To investigate the associations between maternal consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, and fruit juices during pregnancy and neonatal anthropometric outcomes, including birth weight, birth length and head circumference.

A prospective cohort study was conducted, including 614 mother-child pairs. Maternal diet was assessed as the average intake across the three trimesters using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Neonatal outcomes were assessed using INTERGROWTH-21st standards as continuous (z-scores) and categorical (below the 10th percentile [< P10]) measures of birth weight, birth length, and head circumference. Associations were estimated using multivariable linear and logistic regression models adjusted for relevant covariates.

Each 100 g/day increase in combined consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables during pregnancy was associated with higher birth weight z-score (β = 0.14 [0.01, 0.27]) and lower odds of birth weight < P10 (OR = 0.62 [0.41, 0.96]) and birth length < P10 (OR = 0.64 [0.42, 0.98]). Separately, each 100 g/day increase in vegetable consumption was associated with lower odds of birth weight < P10, whereas higher fresh fruit consumption was associated with lower odds of birth length < P10. No significant associations were observed for fruit juice consumption, and none of the dietary exposures were associated with head circumference outcomes.

This study provides new evidence on maternal fresh fruit and vegetable consumption in relation to neonatal anthropometric outcomes by evaluating their overall combined intake alongside their separate consumption. These findings may help strengthen the evidence base for maternal nutritional guidance.