The Association between Maternal Diet and Birth Dimensions

Abstract

Nutrient intakes of 513 women during one week towards the end of the first trimester of pregnancy were recorded and analysed. Correlations between maternal nutrient intake and birthweight, newborn head circumference and newborn length were significant for many nutrients. These associations were found to be greatest for the babies below median weight. Maternal intake of the B vitamins notably thiamin and niacin, and minerals, notably magnesium and iron, were significantly correlated with birthweight, head circumference and length. Vitamin-mineral supplementation of the mothers during the last two trimesters of pregnancy had no significant effect on birth dimensions. It is concluded that the principal associations of maternal diet and birth dimensions probably had their origin during ovulatory maturation and early embryonic development.