PERINATAL NUTRITION Rama Bhat, MD. Department of Pediatrics, University of Illinois Hospital Chicago, Illinois. Nutrition during pregnancy and lactation Nutrition during infancy.

Nutrition During Pregnancy Improved maternal nutrition benefits both mother and infant. Maternal nutrition has a major influence on birth weight.

Weight gain recommendations for pregnancy BMI(Weight for height)Recommended gain Low BMI ( <19.8 ) kg (28-40 lbs) Normal BMI ( ) kg ( lbs) High BMI ( ) kg( lbs) Obese (BMI > 29.0) 6 + kg (15 + lb.). BMI = ( Wt. In kg./ht. In m 2 ) National Academy of Sciences 1990.

RDAs of Nutrients during Pregnancy Energy(Kcal) Protein(g) Calcium(g) Iron(mg) Folate(mcg) Zinc(mg) Phosphorus(mg) Vitamin D (mg) 5 10 Non-Pregnant Pregnant

NUTRITION DURING PREGNANCY Energy Requirement Cost of extra work during pregnancy has been estimated 85,000 calories. 41,000 calories for protein and fat stored in products of conception. 36,000 calories from increased O 2 consumption. 8,000 calories to convert dietary to metabolizable energy.

RECOMMENDED COMPOSITION OF MULTIVITAMIN AND MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN Mineral Requirement Calcium 250 mg Copper 2 mg Folate300 ug Iron 30 mg Vitamin B 6 2 mg Vitamin D 5 ug Zinc 15 mg National Academy of Sciences 1990.

CALCIUM METABOLISM IN PREGNANACY 99% of calcium is in the skeleton Total body calcium: 1200 grams. 1.0 % of calcium is in the ECF. Calcium is essential for: nerve conduction muscle contraction blood clotting membrane permeability

CALCIUM METABOLISM IN PREGNANACY Calcium requirements increase by 33 % during pregnancy. Net transfer across placenta is about grams. Calcium transfer is active. RDA for calcium during pregnancy is 1200 mg.

IRON METABOLISM IN PREGNANCY Iron is needed for: Expansion of red cell mass. The fetus and placenta Replace the blood loss at delivery

IRON METABOLISM IN PREGNANCY Iron requirements double during pregnancy Estimated total pregnancy iron needs is 1000 mg Mother transfers about mg of iron to the fetus. Iron absorption during pregnancy increases to %. Iron deficiency in the mother does not lead to iron deficiency in her infant

ADVERSE EFFECTS OF IRON DEFICIENCY Mother: Fatigue Leucocyte function Tolerance at delivery Preterm delivery ( OR 1.9) Neonate: Low birth weight Neonatal death(developing countries)

Vitamins Deficiency increases: NTD (Meningomyelocele and anencephaly). Low birth weight Prematurity Folic acid: helps to produce additional blood cells helps to support rapid growth of placenta and fetus (needed for DNA)

VITAMINS Folic acid: Supplementation decreases NTDs ( %). In USA alone infants are born with NTDs. Worldwide incidence ,000/yr.

MRC VITAMIN STUDY Randomized control trial Double blind using a placebo Four treatment groups A. Mineral + folic acid B. Mineral + Folic acid + M.V. C. Mineral + Placebo D. Mineral + MV (- Folic acid) Comparison: A + B vs C + D Folic acid effect B + D vs A + C Effect of other vitamins

MRC Vitamin Study 21/602 (3.5%) 6/593 (1.0 %) WITH FOLIC ACIDWITHOUT FOLIC ACID Relative Risk = 0.29 (95% CI , p< 0.001) NTD risk (%)

Pregnancy and Physical Activity Source of considerable debate Outcome of well conducted studies Increased activity does not result in increased absorption. Active women have less difficulty during labor. Infants of very active women were smaller. Advice: Exercise in moderation during 3rd trimester.

FOOD CRAVINGS AND AVERSIONS Dietary changes during pregnancy: Some by advice of the physician. Some by folk medical beliefs. Some by change in appetite. Food cravings: Sweets and dairy products. Aversions: Alcohol, coffee and meats.

FOOD CRAVINGS AND AVERSIONS Cravings and Aversions are not necessarily deleterious.

SOCIAL AND ENVIRONTMENTAL FACTORS Drug abuse HIV infection

DRUG ABUSE DURING PREGNANCY Prevalence %. Commonly Abused drugs: * Cocaine * Heroin * Marijuana * Tobacco * Alcohol * PCP

ALCOHOL ABUSE Increased incidence of addiction ( %). Poor maternal nutrition. Fetal alcohol syndrome ( /1000) CNS involvement growth retardation fetal dysmorphology

HIV INFECTION Nutritional Deficiency with AIDS protein caloric Malnutrition Zinc and selenium deficiency Calcium and Magnesium Vitamin A, B6, B12, C, E deficiency

BABY BUILDING BASICS Choose food from all FIVE food groups. Aim of lbs weight gain. Add 300 calories/day to your diet. Add calcium supplement (100mg/day). Add daily prenatal vitamins. Avoid alcohol and smoking. Do not eat raw or uncooked foods. Drink 64 ounces of fluid.

Nutritional Assessment Dietary Evaluation &Recommendation Access to Registered Dietician Evaluation Nutritional Status Weight for Height Eating Habits. Modification of the Diet to Existing Medical Condition

Benefits of Maternal Nutrition Services Preconceptional PrenatalPostpartum Improves overall maternal health Allows time to change habits Allows reduction of risk factors prior to conception Improves birth weight,may reduce perinatal morb. Impr. Maternal health & comfort, incr. initiation of breast feeding. Increases breast- feeding success improves mat. nutrition. Provides opportunity to promote healthful eating for entire family.