title: Maternal micronutrient consumption periconceptionally and during pregnancy: a prospective cohort study.
abstract: To examine overall micronutrient intake periconceptionally and throughout pregnancy in a population-based cohort of Australian women.
  
  
  
  In a prospective cohort study, micronutrient dosages were extracted from self-reported maternal supplement use, recorded pre-conception, and for each trimester of pregnancy. A food frequency scale (DQESv2) captured usual maternal diet for gestational weeks 14-26. The influence of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with supplement use was examined using logistic regression, and changes in micronutrient intakes prior to and throughout pregnancy were assessed using repeated-measures ANOVA analyses.
  
  
  
  Metropolitan hospital sites in Melbourne, Australia.
  
  
  
  Women with a viable singleton pregnancy were recruited at less than 19 weeks' gestation (n 2146).
  
  
  
  Compared with non-users, women using supplements during pregnancy were more likely to have planned their pregnancy, be >25 years old, primiparous, Caucasian, non-smokers, have a tertiary education and be consuming a folate-rich diet. Intakes of folate, Fe and Zn were significantly lower in the periconceptional period, compared with other periods (P<0·001). Intakes below Recommended Daily Intake levels were common both periconceptionally and throughout pregnancy, with 19-46 % of women not meeting the Recommended Daily Intake for folate, 68-82 % for Fe and 17-36 % for Zn. Conversely, 15-19 % of women consumed beyond the recommended Upper Limit for folate and 11-24 % for Fe.
  
  
  
  The study highlights the need for improved public health education on nutritional needs during pregnancy, especially among women with lower educational achievements and income.
authors.affiliation: 1Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences,The University of Melbourne,12th Floor Redmond Barry Building, Parkville, VIC 3010,Australia.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Livock
authors.affiliation: 3Clinical Sciences,Murdoch Childrens Research Institute,Royal Children's Hospital,Parkville,Victoria,Australia.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: 2Public Health Genetics,Murdoch Childrens Research Institute,Royal Children's Hospital,Parkville,Victoria,Australia.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: 1Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences,The University of Melbourne,12th Floor Redmond Barry Building, Parkville, VIC 3010,Australia.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bowden
authors.affiliation: 2Public Health Genetics,Murdoch Childrens Research Institute,Royal Children's Hospital,Parkville,Victoria,Australia.
authors.forename: Evelyne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Muggli
authors.affiliation: 2Public Health Genetics,Murdoch Childrens Research Institute,Royal Children's Hospital,Parkville,Victoria,Australia.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Halliday
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003710:Demography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004032:Diet / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis*; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009752:Nutritional Status; D016742:Preconception Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014739:Victoria; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018977:Micronutrients
keywords: Dietary supplements; Folate; Iron; Pregnancy; Zinc