Pre and periconceptional nutritional status of urban women; and its impact on their neonates

Adequate maternal nutrition during first, second and third trimester of pregnancy is essential for proper development and growth of the fetus till birth; as well as to reduce the risks of different types of ailments and congenital birth defects in neonate's and long-lasting behavioural disturbances in adolescence and adult stage. Likewise, first trimester of pregnancy periconception nutritional status is also important for ovarian cycle, fertilization, implantation and initial cell division processes. Periconceptional nutritional deficiencies may cause default genomic programming, altered embryogenesis, IUGR, CHD, premature and/or still birth etc. Therefore, the study was planned between July 2007 to Sep. 2008 to thoroughly investigate the aftermath of unplanned pregnancies, especially the role of pre and periconceptional nutritional status on pregnancy outcomes, The results of this study indicate that maximum number of women (99%) couldn't plan their pregnancies and 57% had their first visit to the Gynecologist between 8-11 weeks of gestation, while some (3%) had a visit in the 15th weeks of gestation. 68% pregnant women were within normal BMI range (19 to 26) while BMI of 32 % were below normal. These subjects were 36 to 76% deficient in intake of food groups and 39 to 72% deficient in micronutrients/trace elements intake while intake of fat was 48% increased. The deficient women were in the category of malnourishment. In this study about 16% babies were born with low birth weight and height. Regression showed significant, (p<0.05) correlation between maternal BMI and gestational age with neonates birth weight. The variables found significant predicator of neonates birth weight. The present study concludes that risk factor for IUGR/Low birth weight (LBW) of neonates is associated with low maternal BMI, unplanned pregnancy, and poor nutritional intake by middle class socio-economic women of urban area.