Prenatal Nutrition's Effect on Neonatal Results

A Study on Maternal Dietary Patterns and Fetal Health

Abstract

Introduction: Fetal development and health are significantly influenced by maternal diet. Prenatal dietary practices are associated with neonatal outcomes such as birth weight, gestational age, and Apgar scores. This study evaluated how maternal anemia, gestational age, and birth weight were impacted by dietary patterns.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 144 pregnant women over a 12-month period at Pak International Medical College (PIMC), Hayatabad. Maternal eating patterns were assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Neonatal outcomes such as birth weight, gestational age, Apgar scores, and NICU admissions were recorded. Hemoglobin levels were used to evaluate maternal anemia. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Chi-square tests, and independent t-tests.

Results: The mean age was 27.8 ± 4.9 years, with most participants from middle-income households. Dietary patterns showed 35.4% followed a balanced diet, 41.0% moderately imbalanced, and 23.6% highly imbalanced. Anemia was most prevalent in the highly imbalanced group (82.4%, p < 0.001). Neonatal outcomes showed a mean birth weight of 2.84 ± 0.52 kg, with 20.1% classified as low birth weight and 14.6% as preterm. Mothers with balanced diets had significantly higher birth weights, longer gestational ages, and better Apgar scores (p < 0.001). Maternal anemia was associated with higher rates of low birth weight (27.5% vs. 7.5%, p = 0.003) and preterm births (18.7% vs. 7.5%, p = 0.048).

Conclusion: Maternal dietary patterns significantly influence neonatal health. Public health interventions targeting maternal nutrition, especially in resource-limited settings, are essential to improve outcomes.