Diet Counselling in Pregnancy Induced Hypertension: Effect on the Status of Serum Trace Elements, Electrolytes and Neonatal Health

Abstract

Keeping in view that pregnancies are complicated by hypertension, the present study was planned to create awareness and knowledge about pregnancy induced hypertension through diet counseling among low-income group women who were visiting government hospital and community health centers. A total of 60 pregnancy induced hypertensive subjects were selected. They were divided into two groups i.e., Control and Experimental with 30 subjects each. The experimental group was provided with diet counseling based on the principle of DASH diet at a regular interval of fifteen days for consecutive three months. Ethical clearance was obtained from the institutional ethical committee and written informed consent was obtained from the subjects before data collection. The information pertaining to general and socio-economic profile, food and nutrient intake, serum trace elements and electrolytes concentrations and neonatal outcome and anthropometry was recorded. The counseling resulted in a significantly (p < 0.05) higher intake of fruits, vegetables, milk and milk products in experimental group as compared to control. The diet counseling had a significant (p < 0.05) impact on the serum trace elements and electrolytes concentrations of experimental group in comparison to control. The birth weight and gestational age at the time of delivery for the experimental group was found to be significantly high as compared to the control group (2.53 ± 0.48 Vs 2.16 ± 0.80 kg). Hence, the nutrition and diet counseling should be provided to all the women of reproductive age group and assessment of serum trace elements and electrolytes should be done during pregnancy to manage the pregnancy related complications and for better neonatal health.