Some Aspects of the Relation of Nutrition and Pregnancy

Abstract

The possible teratogenic effect of dietary deficiencies in pregnancy appears to be negligible on any but very poor diets. Critical evidence indicates that diet during pregnancy can vary widely without demonstrable impairment of the health of the mother or baby.

A reasonably sound diet which would insure a proper state of nutrition in the United States seems to be adequate for pregnancy. Studies indicate, however, that the influence of nutrition on pregnancy may be very marked in the lower range of quantitative or qualitative intakes, with the effect rapidly diminishing as an adequate nutritional level is approached.