Maternal nutrition associated with nausea and vomiting during pregnancy: A prospective cohort China study

Objective: To compare dietary intake and demographics characteristic in Chinese women who experienced nausea and vomiting, nausea only, and women who had no symptom of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Materials and methods: In this prospective cohort study, Chinese pregnant women attending to Shenzhen Longgang District Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital during 2010-2015 were enrolled. All enrolled women were instructed to answer validated food frequency questionnaire to assess dietary intake during the first trimester of pregnancy. Data related to demographic characteristic, nausea and vomiting were also recorded using validated questionnaire. Data were analysed using univariate analysis (Chi-square test/fisher exact test) to investigate role of dietary intake and demographics characteristic on incidences of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Result: A total of 150 pregnant women were participated in this study, of these a total of 100 patients (67%) experienced either nausea or vomiting. Women of NVP group had highest energy intake, mainly from carbohydrates sources including added sugars as compared with the other groups (P<0.001). Moreover, women of NVP group were heavier at the time of pregnancy as compared to other groups (P<0.001). Women of NSG group had highest intake of protein and lowest intake of carbohydrates and fatty foods as compared to other groups (P<0.001). Conclusion: Our preliminary finding suggests that higher consumption of carbohydrates and added sugar leading to greater prevalence of nausea and vomiting among Chinese pregnant women.