Supplementation with folic acid (FA) was proven to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs) and was recommended worldwide before and during early pregnancy. However, much less is known regarding the role of FA after the 12th gestational week (GW). This study aimed to investigate the related effects of continued FA supplementation after the first trimester of pregnancy on fetal growth. The study subje...

BACKGROUND Pregnancy is a state of increased requirement of macro- and micronutrients, and malnourishment or inadequate dietary intake before and during pregnancy, can lead to adverse perinatal outcomes including stillbirths. Many nutritional interventions have been proposed during pregnancy according to the nutritional status of the mother and baseline risk factors for different gestational di...

Comparing the Effect of Different Doses Vitamin D Supplementation During Pregnancy on Prevention Adverse Outcomes; a Randomized Clinical Trial

Most women worldwide enter pregnancy without adequate iron reserves or are already iron deficient. Estimates of iron needs during pregnancy are markedly reduced when iron reserves are available. The needs of absorbed iron to correct mild to moderate anemia in the last two trimesters are estimated. Pre-pregnancy and prenatal weekly supplementation can improve iron reserves effectively and safely...

Maternal zinc deficiency during pregnancy has been related to adverse effects on progeny, and there are data showing that mild to moderate zinc deficiency (as assessed by available indicators) is quite common in the developing world. Observational data relating zinc deficiency to adverse fetal outcome have produced conflicting results, mainly because of the lack of a valid indicator of zinc def...

People of all ages can be affected by iodine deficiency, however, pregnant women and children are especially at a high risk. Because of changes that occur in maternal thyroid hormone economy during pregnancy and the potential unfavorable effects of iodine deficiency on the offspring, an adequate dietary iodine intake throughout the pregnancy is highly important. Therefore, the World Health Orga...

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) during pregnancy is associated with significant morbidity for mothers and infants. Over 50% of pregnant women in developing countries suffer from IDA. It is also prevalent among adolescent girls because the growth spurt and onset of menstruation increase iron requirements. Women who conceive during or shortly after adolescence are likely to enter pregnancy with low ...

Clinical Inquiries provides answers to questions submitted by practicing family physicians to the Family Physicians Inquiries Network (FPIN). Members of the network select questions based on their relevance to family medicine. Answers are drawn from an approved set of evidence-based resources and undergo peer review. The strength of recommendations and the level of evidence for individual studi...

A considerable number of studies have examined vitamin D status during pregnancy. Although data from observational studies denote vitamin D hypovitaminosis (deficiency or insufficiency) during pregnancy is associated with a plethora of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, data from interventional (supplementation) trials fail to reveal a significant impact on maternal and offspring health. T...

Preeclampsia, a pregnancy-related syndrome impacting multiple organ systems, is leading cause of maternal mortality, bleeding, and infection. The World Health Organization estimates that preeclampsia contributes to 70,000 500,000 infant deaths annually worldwide. Recent research highlights the importance optimal nutrition from preconception through childhood adolescence. novelty this it examine...