title: [Bioelectric profiles and nutritional status in pregnancy: protocol of a multicentric project to measure bioimpedance in pregnancy].
abstract: This paper re-examines the criteria underlying weight increases suggested during pregnancy. The distinction is introduced between increase in the lean and fat masses in the evaluation of the total weight increase, in order to assess the real mother's needs and work out a correct diet. Since one of the main adjustment mechanisms by the increase of the circulating mass and, more in general, the increase of water in the extracellular compartment, authors propose to use impedance measurements to longitudinally monitor the changes in the mother's lean mass during pregnancy and at the moment of delivery. The operational protocol of a multicentric project is presented, which aims at thoroughly analyzing the characterization of the mother's lean mass and its possible changes during pregnancy by means of bioimpedance measurements. A sample of 800 pregnant women will undergo bioimpedance measurements, 400 of which longitudinally during the whole pregnancy and 400 immediately before and after delivery. This study will also propose food frequency questionnaires in order to better define the nutritional status of pregnant women; moreover, sideremia, transferrin and ferritin values will be collected to assess any iron deficiencies in the studied population.
authors: Istituto di Chimica Biologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma.
authors: M C
authors: MC
authors: Mele
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Castelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D015430:Weight Gain
vernacular_title: Profili bioelettrici e stato nutrizionale materno: protocollo di un progetto multicentrico di misure di bioimpedenza in gravidanza.