title: Maternal nutritional status as a contributing factor for the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Compare nutritional status of 57 South African mothers of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) with 148 mothers of controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dietary data were analyzed for macronutrients, micronutrients, and fats via estimated average requirements (EAR) and adequate intakes (AI) for pregnant women.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Virtually all mothers were likely deficient on most micronutrients by either EAR (<50%) or AI values. Mothers of FASD children consumed more of 13 of 25 micronutrients. For percentage below EAR, only vitamin D was significantly higher for FASD mothers. Despite no difference in total food intake, control mothers had a higher mean body mass index (BMI) than FASD mothers. Maternal BMI is more significant for positive child outcomes than any individual nutrient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most mothers have inadequate dietary intake. Minor advantages in nutrient intake are overpowered by teratogenic effects of alcohol. Further study is needed of the interaction of alcohol, maternal nutrition, and metabolism.
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Nutrition Research Institute, Gillings School of Global Public Health, USA; The University of New Mexico Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions (CASAA), Albuquerque, USA. Electronic address: philip_may@unc.edu.
authors.forename: Philip A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: May
authors.affiliation: Navigate Nutrition Consulting, PLLC, Seattle, USA.
authors.forename: Kari J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Hamrick
authors.affiliation: Florida Hospital, Translational Research Institute for Metabolism and Diabetes, USA.
authors.forename: Karen D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Corbin
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Nutrition Research Institute, Gillings School of Global Public Health, USA.
authors.forename: Julie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hasken
authors.affiliation: Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Tygerberg, South Africa; University of Cape Town, Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR), Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Anna-Susan
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Marais
authors.affiliation: The University of New Mexico Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions (CASAA), Albuquerque, USA.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blankenship
authors.affiliation: Sanford School of Medicine, The University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, USA.
authors.forename: H Eugene
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Hoyme
authors.affiliation: The University of New Mexico Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions (CASAA), Albuquerque, USA.
authors.forename: J Phillip
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Gossage
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D015995:Prevalence; D064167:Recommended Dietary Allowances; D012307:Risk Factors; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Alcohol; Dietary intake; Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD); Nutrition; Pregnancy; South Africa