Low body weight gain, low white blood cell count and high serum ferritin as markers of poor nutrition and increased risk for preterm delivery.
This study determined factors of preterm delivery in Taiwan. Healthy women (n=520, age 29.1±4.2 y) at 8-12 weeks of pregnancy were recruited from prenatal clinics. Background information, anthropometrics, biochemical parameters, and dietary intake, collected by 24 h-recall were obtained from the first, second, and third trimesters to delivery. Clinical outcomes of neonates were also collected. The results show that 53.7% of women were primiparous and that the incidence of preterm delivery was 6.2%. Body weight gains in the first trimester and throughout pregnancy were significantly lower in mothers with preterm delivery (preterm group) than in mothers with term delivery (term group, p<0.05). Maternal cholesterol intake, circulating white blood cell counts (WBC) and serum albumin were significantly lower and that serum magnesium and ferritin were significantly higher in the preterm group than in the term group. Maternal weight gain was positively correlated with caloric and nutrient intake (p<0.05). Neonatal birth weight was positively correlated with maternal weight gain and intakes of protein and phosphate during pregnancy; with intakes of calories, vitamin B-1 and B-2 in the first trimester; and with intakes of calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc, as well as circulating WBC in the third trimester. However, neonatal birth weight was negatively correlated with serum iron in the third trimester and with serum iron and ferritin at the time of delivery. In conclusion, maternal weight gain in early pregnancy and WBC, mineral intake and iron status in late pregnancy seem to be major factors affecting delivery and neonatal outcomes.
Department of Food and Nutrition, Providence University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
Wen-Yin
WY
Hsu
Cheng-Hsuan
CH
Wu
Charles Tsung-Che
CT
Hsieh
Hui-Chen
HC
Lo
Jen-Shiou
JS
Lin
Mei-Ding
MD
Kao
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D015430:Weight Gain
D015415:Biomarkers; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D018977:Micronutrients; D005293:Ferritins; D002784:Cholesterol; D007501:Iron