Maternal nutrient intake and birth‐weight

Abstract

The relation between diet towards the end of the first trimester of gestation and subsequent birth‐weights was examined in 419 singleton pregnancies. The mothers of babies of low birth‐weight were found to be consuming a diet significantly lower in energy and in some essential nutrients than the mothers of larger babies. Associations were also found between nutrient intakes, length of gestation and pre‐pregnancy maternal weight.