title: Relationship between dietary intake of cod liver oil in early pregnancy and birthweight.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the possible association between birth outcome and marine food and cod liver oil intake of healthy women in early (prior to 15 weeks of gestation) pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Free-living conditions in a community with traditional fish and cod liver oil consumption.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four hundred and thirty-five healthy pregnant Icelandic women without antenatal and intrapartum complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dietary intake of the women was estimated with a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) covering food intake together with lifestyle factors for the previous three months. Questionnaires were filled out at between 11 and 15 weeks and between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation. The estimated intake of marine food and cod liver oil was compared with birthweight by linear and logistic regression controlling for potential confounding.
  
  
  METHODS
  Birthweight, cod liver oil intake, lifestyle factors (alcohol, smoking).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen percent of the study population used liquid cod liver oil in early pregnancy. Regression analysis shows that these women gave birth to heavier babies (P < 0.001), even after adjusting for the length of gestation and other confounding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maternal intake of liquid cod liver oil early in pregnancy was associated with a higher birthweight. Higher birthweight has been associated with a lower risk of diseases later in life and maternal cod liver oil intake might be one of the means for achieving higher birthweight.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Institute of Iceland, Laugavegur 116, IS-105 Reykjavik, Iceland.
authors.forename: Anna S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Olafsdottir
authors.forename: Anna R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Magnusardottir
authors.forename: Holmfridur
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thorgeirsdottir
authors.forename: Arnar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hauksson
authors.forename: Gudrun V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Skuladottir
authors.forename: Laufey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Steingrimsdottir
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003060:Cod Liver Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005396:Fish Products / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008423:Maternal Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D012044:Regression Analysis
chemical_list: D003060:Cod Liver Oil