Impact of maternal diet on neonatal anthropometry: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
Large for gestational age infants are at increased risk of childhood obesity and maternal nutrition impacts birthweight. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a maternal low glycaemic index (GI) diet on neonatal anthropometry.


METHODS
The ROLO (Randomised Control Trial of Low Glycaemic Index Diet in Pregnancy) study was a randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of a low GI diet versus usual diet on birthweight. It took place in a tertiary maternity hospital in Ireland and women were randomized to receive either a low GI diet or no dietary intervention from early pregnancy to term. Two hundred sixty-five neonates had anthropometric measurements on day 1-2 of life, 126 in the intervention group and 139 in the control group. Measurements included birthweight, length and circumferences of the head, chest, abdominal, thigh and mid-upper arm. A subgroup of 219 (82%) neonates also had skin-fold measurements.


RESULTS
Neonates whose mothers had a low GI diet in pregnancy had lower thigh circumference (15.9 ± 1.7 cm vs. 16.6 ± 1.5 cm, P = 0.04). There was no difference between the intervention and control groups in head, chest abdominal or mid-upper arm circumferences. No difference was noted between the two groups for any skin-fold measurements (subscapular, thigh, biceps and triceps).


CONCLUSIONS
Neonatal thigh circumference was altered by maternal low GI diet in pregnancy. These findings suggest that maternal low GI diet is safe in pregnancy and may positively impact infant adiposity.
UCD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine and Medical Science, Dublin, Ireland.
J M
JM
Donnelly
J M
JM
Walsh
J
J
Byrne
E J
EJ
Molloy
F M
FM
McAuliffe
D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001724:Birth Weight; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004032:Diet; D050528:Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D038321:Glycemic Index; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy
Low GI Diet; maternal; neonatal; paediatric