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The Effects of Nutritional Intake during Pregnancy on Maternal and Offspring Health

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 May 2024) | Viewed by 1730

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Noriko Sato

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Guest Editor

Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Human Sciences and Design, Japan Women’s University, 2-8-1 Mejirodai, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8681, Japan
Interests: developmental origin of health and disease; fetal growth; placental growth; noncommunicable disease; genetic risks; epigenetics; nutrient profile; nutrition and health science

Dr. Yoshifumi Kasuga

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Co-Guest Editor

School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Obstetrics) (Shinanomachi), Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
Interests: life science; obstetrics and gynecology; gestational diabetes; preterm birth; genome/epigenome; ultrasound; pregnancy after radical trachelectomy/conization; DOHaD

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

During pregnancy, the mother’s physiological adaptations and changes in nutritional requirements are necessary to accommodate placental formation and intense fetal growth. Inadequate maternal intake of macronutrients, micronutrients, and dietary fibers and/or excessive intake of energy may increase the risk of pregnancy complications and subsequent development of noncommunicable diseases for both mother and offspring. In fetal growth, appropriate weight gain, as well as the normal functional development of the brain, metabolic organs, and other tissues, is crucial. Recently, it has been shown that metabolites derived from maternal gastrointestinal microbiota play a vital role in fetal development through the regulation of immunity and metabolism. In other words, diet has an important influence not only as a nutritional element for the formation of the placenta and fetus but also in maintaining the preferable compositions of the gastrointestinal microbiota. A comprehensive understanding of the importance of diet during pregnancy and proper assessment of diet quality and quantity is necessary to promote maternal and offspring health.

This Special Issue aims to update our knowledge on this topic and to inform practice. We invite all researchers, scholars, dieticians, nutrition specialists, and clinicians involved in this field to submit original research articles, clinical studies, and review articles to this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Noriko Sato
Dr. Yoshifumi Kasuga
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

developmental origin of health and disease (DOHaD)
placental programming
fetal growth
gestational weight gain
gestational diabetes
maternal diet
microbiome and microbiota
infant development

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 1180 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Serum Folate, Red Blood Cell Folate, and Zinc Serum Levels Are Related with Gestational Weight Gain and Offspring’s Birth-Weight of Adolescent Mothers

by Reyna Sámano, Hugo Martínez-Rojano, Gabriela Chico-Barba, Ricardo Gamboa, Maricruz Tolentino, Alexa Xiomara Toledo-Barrero, Cristina Ramírez-González, María Eugenia Mendoza-Flores, María Hernández-Trejo and Estela Godínez-Martínez

Nutrients 2024, 16(11), 1632; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16111632 - 26 May 2024

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Abstract

Background: Gestational weight gain below or above the Institute of Medicine recommendations has been associated with adverse perinatal and neonatal outcomes. Very few studies have evaluated the association between serum and red blood cell folate concentrations and gestational weight gain in adolescents. Additionally, zinc deficiency during pregnancy has been associated with impaired immunity, prolonged labor, preterm and post-term birth, intrauterine growth restriction, low birth weight, and pregnancy-induced hypertension. Objective: The purpose of our study is to evaluate the association between serum concentrations of zinc, serum folate, and red blood cell folate, with the increase in gestational weight and the weight and length of the newborn in a group of adolescent mothers from Mexico City. Results: In our study, 406 adolescent-neonate dyads participated. The adolescents’ median age was 15.8 years old. The predominant socioeconomic level was middle-low (57.8%), single (57%), 89.9% were engaged in home activities, and 41.3% completed secondary education. Excessive gestational weight gain was observed in 36.7% of cases, while insufficient gestational weight gain was noted in 38.4%. Small for gestational age infants were observed in 20.9% of the sample. Low serum folate (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3–3.3), decreased red blood cell folate (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0–2.6), and reduced serum zinc concentrations (OR 3.3, 95% CI 2.1–5.2) were associated with insufficient gestational weight gain. Decreased serum zinc levels (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.2–3.4) were linked to an increased probability of delivering a baby who is small for their gestational age. Conclusions: Low serum folate, red blood cell folate, and serum zinc concentrations were associated with gestational weight gain and having a small gestational age baby. Both excessive and insufficient gestational weight gain, as well as having a small gestational age baby, are frequent among adolescent mothers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Nutritional Intake during Pregnancy on Maternal and Offspring Health)

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8 pages, 216 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perinatal Outcomes of Diet Therapy in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Diagnosed before 24 Gestational Weeks

by Yoshifumi Kasuga, Marina Takahashi, Kaoru Kajikawa, Keisuke Akita, Toshimitsu Otani, Satoru Ikenoue and Mamoru Tanaka

Nutrients 2024, 16(11), 1553; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16111553 (registering DOI) - 21 May 2024

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Abstract

To evaluate perinatal outcomes and risk factors for large for gestational age (LGA; birth weight over 90 percentile) in gestational diabetes diagnosed before 24 gestational weeks and treated with diet therapy alone until delivery (Diet Early gestational diabetes mellitus (Diet Early GDM)), we assessed the maternal characteristics and perinatal outcomes of patients with early GDM (n = 309) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT; n = 309) at Keio University Hospital. The gestational weight gain (GWG) expected at 40 weeks was significantly lower in the Diet Early GDM group than in the NGT group. The Diet Early GDM group exhibited a significantly lower incidence of low birth weight (<2500 g) and higher Apgar score at 5 min than the NGT group. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the pre-pregnancy body mass index and GWG expected at 40 weeks were significantly associated with LGA for Diet Early GDM. No differences were observed in random plasma glucose levels in the first trimester, 75 g oral glucose tolerance test values, and initial increase or subsequent decrease between the two groups. Dietary early GDM did not exhibit a worse prognosis than NGT. To prevent LGA, it might be important to control maternal body weight not only during pregnancy but also before conception. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Nutritional Intake during Pregnancy on Maternal and Offspring Health)

Review

Jump to: Research

20 pages, 1147 KiB

Open AccessReview

Amino Acids during Pregnancy and Offspring Cardiovascular–Kidney–Metabolic Health

by You-Lin Tain and Chien-Ning Hsu

Nutrients 2024, 16(9), 1263; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16091263 - 24 Apr 2024

Viewed by 745

Abstract

Amino acids are essential for normal pregnancy and fetal development. Disruptions in maternal amino acid metabolism have been associated with various adult diseases later in life, a phenomenon referred to as the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD). In this review, we examine the recent evidence highlighting the significant impact of amino acids on fetal programming, their influence on the modulation of gut microbiota, and their repercussions on offspring outcomes, particularly in the context of cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic (CKM) syndrome. Furthermore, we delve into experimental studies that have unveiled the protective effects of therapies targeting amino acids. These interventions have demonstrated the potential to reprogram traits associated with CKM in offspring. The discussion encompasses the challenges of translating the findings from animal studies to clinical applications, emphasizing the complexity of this process. Additionally, we propose potential solutions to overcome these challenges. Ultimately, as we move forward, future research endeavors should aim to pinpoint the most effective amino-acid-targeted therapies, determining the optimal dosage and mode of administration. This exploration is essential for maximizing the reprogramming effects, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic health in offspring. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Nutritional Intake during Pregnancy on Maternal and Offspring Health)

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