Maternal Nutrition and Cognitive Health – Opinion

Prenatal maternal depression symptoms and nutrition, and child cognitive function.

BACKGROUND Little is currently known about how maternal depression symptoms and unhealthy nutrition during pregnancy may developmentally interrelate to negatively affect child cognitive function. AIMS To test whether prenatal maternal depression symptoms predict poor prenatal nutrition, and whether this in turn prospectively associates with reduced postnatal child cognitive function. METHOD...

Maternal and infant nutrition and health in later life.

Sir: In response to the article, “Maternal and Infant Nutrition and Health in Later Life” by Robert L. Jackson,’ let me say that the science of many disciplines is crystal clear in finding that breast feeding the human infant is the optimum method of nutrition. The reasons are well known, accepted and not in need of repetition. Nutrition of the infant, however, is a highly complex problem invol...

Male involvement in maternal health: perspectives of opinion leaders

BACKGROUND Twenty years after acknowledging the importance of joint responsibilities and male participation in maternal health programs, most health care systems in low income countries continue to face challenges in involving men. We explored the reasons for men's resistance to the adoption of a more proactive role in pregnancy care and their enduring influence in the decision making process d...

Nutrition Program Options for Maternal and Child Health

Maternal nutrition during pregnancy and health of the offspring.

The ability of mother to provide nutrients and oxygen for her baby is a critical factor for fetal health and its survival. Failure in supplying the adequate amount of nutrients to meet fetal demand can lead to fetal malnutrition. The fetus responds and adapts to undernutrition but by doing so it permanently alters the structure and function of the body. Maternal overnutrition also has long-last...