Maternal nutrition in early and late pregnancy in relation to placental and fetal growth.
OBJECTIVE
To assess how nutrient intakes of mothers in early and late pregnancy influence placental and fetal growth.


METHODS
Prospective observational study.


METHODS
Princess Anne Maternity Hospital, Southampton.


METHODS
538 mothers who delivered at term.


METHODS
Placental and birth weights adjusted for the infant's sex and duration of gestation.


RESULTS
Mothers who had high carbohydrate intakes in early pregnancy had babies with lower placental and birth weights. Low maternal intakes of dairy and meat protein in late pregnancy were also associated with lower placental and birth weights. Placental weight fell by 49 g(95% confidence interval 16 g to 81 g; P=0.002) for each log g increase in intake of carbohydrate in early pregnancy and by 1.4 g (0.4 g to 2.4 g; P=0.005) for each g decrease in intake of dairy protein in late pregnancy. Birth weight fell by 165 g (49 g to 282 g; P=0.005) for each log g increase in carbohydrate intake in early pregnancy and by 3.1 g (0.3 g to 6.0 g; P=0.03) for each g decrease in meat protein intake in late pregnancy. These associations were independent of the mother's height and body mass index and of strong relations between the mother's birth weight and the placental and birth weights of her offspring.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that a high carbohydrate intake in early pregnancy suppresses placental growth, especially if combined with a low dairy protein intake in late pregnancy. Such an effect could have long term consequences for the offspring's risk of cardiovascular disease.
Godfrey
K
K
Medical Research Council Environmental Epidemiology Unit (University of Southampton), Southampton General Hospital, UK.
Robinson
S
S
Barker
D J
DJ
Osmond
C
C
Cox
V
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D004032:Diet; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009035:Mothers; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D010929:Placentation; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004044:Dietary Proteins