title: Prenatal nutrition: a critical window of opportunity for mother and child.
abstract: The prenatal period encompasses a critical window for future health and functioning of mother and child. Attention previously focused on undernutrition risk (i.e., in developing countries and famine conditions) shifted to mismatch between prenatal 'programming' by undernutrition and postnatal overconsumption (i.e., low birthweight vs rapid postnatal growth), now to overconsumption/overweight throughout the reproductive cycle and short- and long-term health risks, including obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease. Moreover, overconsumption/overweight do not guarantee adequacy of critical nutrients (i.e., against birth defects or for brain development). Multinutrient supplementation - including zinc, iodine, choline and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially n-3 - may have advantages over single-nutrient supplements, for example, iron or folate. Future nutritional care for healthy in utero programming may necessitate individual assessment and follow-up, including preconception nutritional preparation, appropriate weight gain, metabolic balance and food-based regimens enhanced by key nutrient fortification and/or supplementation, warranting further research into nutritional optimization of pregnancy outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Tel Aviv University, Stanley Steyer School of Health Professions, Ramat Aviv, 5 Kehilat Zitomir St, Tel Aviv 69405, Israel. nivnet@inter.net.il
authors.forename: Niva
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shapira
mesh_terms: D019049:Developed Countries; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications*; D008427:Maternal Health Services; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009752:Nutritional Status; D044343:Overnutrition / Q000150:complications*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011295:Prenatal Care; D039401:Prenatal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins