Influence of maternal nutrient intake and weight gain on neonatal birth weight: A prospective cohort study in southern Thailand

Abstract

Objectives. To assess the nutritional intake and gestational weight gain of pregnant women and the relationship between nutritional intake, gestational weight gain, and neonatal birth weight.

Methods. A prospective cohort study was carried out in three districts of Songkhla Province in southern Thailand. Nutritional intakes were calculated based on a 24-h food record and a food frequency checklist. The women were followed until delivery and the neonatal birth weight recorded.

Results. Two hundred and thirty-six pregnant women with a mean age of 27.2 ± 6.2 years were recruited. The average daily energy intake was 1806 ± 482 kcal. The average gestational weight gain was 12.2 ± 4.6 kg and the average neonatal birth weight was 3054 ± 474 g. Micronutrient intakes were overall inadequate averaging only 50–80% of recommended levels. Neonatal birth weight was significantly positively correlated with gestational weight gain (r = 0.17, p = 0.01), but was not correlated with maternal nutritional intakes.

Conclusions. Pregnant women in rural areas of Songkhla Province consume adequate macronutrients with appropriate gestational weight gain, but generally consume inadequate micronutrients. A nutritional education program explaining the importance of micronutrients should be a focus of a public education program.

Keywords:

• Fetal growth
• gestational weight gain
• maternal nutrition
• maternal weight gain

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by Institute of Research and Development for Health of Southern Thailand. The authors gratefully acknowledge the participants for accompanying this study, and the staff on the antenatal clinic of the three community hospitals for their assistance with data collection. The authors thank Mr. David Patterson from the International Affairs Office in the Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, for editorial help. This work was supported by the Institute of Research and Development for Health of Southern Thailand.