Maternal periconceptional nutrition matters. A scoping review of the current literature

Abstract

Background: The importance of nutrition in reproductive health is widely acknowledged with special emphasis given to periconceptional maternal diet and its implications on embryo-fetal development, pregnancy complications, and the health of the offspring. Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, we searched for literature in PubMed, CINAHL, and WoS to gather newer information on how diet composition influences the concepts from the very early stages of pregnancy and how maternal health may be affected as well. Fifty-six studies published up to June 2020 met the inclusion criteria. Results: With its proportioned and diversified macronutrient composition, the Mediterranean Diet prevents congenital anomalies, preterm birth, hypertensive disorders, and gestational diabetes. Similar dietary patterns rich in vegetables, nuts, fish, and cereals increase the likelihood of conception and have a protective action, mediated by their antioxidant properties, against orofacial clefts, congenital heart and limb defects in the progeny. Conversely, the pro-inflammatory features of western diets, rich in processed foods and low in fruit content, diminish fertility, increase miscarriage rates, and enhance the risk of neural tube defects regardless of folate supplementation. Conclusions: It may be concluded that within the multiple dietary options, some of them are soundly associated with beneficial effects for the mother and the newborn. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICEAn appropriate counseling must be offered to the woman of fertile age to make her aware of how periconceptional nutrition may help fulfill her reproductive expectations.

FIGO Preconception Checklist: Preconception care for mother and baby

“…Maternal nutrition at conception affects placental development and function, as well as fetal genomic imprinting/programming and, consequently, the child's long-term health. 16,17 However, a thorough review of the dietary intakes of nutrients in adolescent girls and women of reproductive age in low-and middleincome countries reported that dietary deficiencies such as low iron, vitamin A, iodine, and zinc and/or calcium, remain prevalent despite the reduction in underweight mothers. 18 In high-income countries, a typical diet that includes a high intake of red meat, refined grains/ sugars, and high-fat dairy products is also lacking in several important micronutrients, such as magnesium, iodine, calcium, and vitamin D. 19 To address these issues, FIGO developed a simple Nutrition Checklist that includes questions on specific dietary requirements, body mass index (BMI), diet quality, and micronutrients.…”

“…Maternal nutrition at conception affects placental development and function, as well as fetal genomic imprinting/programming and, consequently, the child's long‐term health 16,17 …”

The Effect of Maternal Dietary Patterns on Birth Weight for Gestational Age: Findings from the MAMI-MED Cohort

“…During the entire reproductive period-but especially in pregnancy-both environmental exposures and lifestyles can affect physiological and pathological conditions in mothers and in future generations [14][15][16]. Maternal diet-which is one of the main determinants of adverse outcomes defined above-plays a key role in ensuring the correct development and growth of newborns [16][17][18][19][20][21][22].…”

“…During the entire reproductive period-but especially in pregnancy-both environmental exposures and lifestyles can affect physiological and pathological conditions in mothers and in future generations [14][15][16]. Maternal diet-which is one of the main determinants of adverse outcomes defined above-plays a key role in ensuring the correct development and growth of newborns [16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. Although many studies evaluated the relationship of single nutrients and foods with pregnancy and neonatal outcomes [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36], these elements are not consumed alone but in complex dietary patterns.…”

How the intricate relationship between nutrition and hormonal equilibrium significantly influences endocrine and reproductive health in adolescent girls

“…Nutrition during the periconceptional period and pregnancy emerges as a critical determinant for fetal development, growth, and overall wellbeing. Inadequate nutrition can disrupt the normal development and growth of organs, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPA-axis), thereby potentially affecting endocrine, reproductive health, and fertility in adulthood ( 7 ).…”