Title:

Vitamin A content in women’s prepregnancy diet and newborn’s health

Author:

Sochacka-Tatara, Elżbieta

Subject:

vitamin A ; birth weight ; newborn ; maternal diet

Abstract:

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between vitamin A content in women’s diets before pregnancy and birth weight, length, head circumference and fetal maturity. Pregnant nonsmoking women, aged 18-35 years were recruited into the study. Information on regular dietary habits during prepregnancy period were obtained and average intake of vitamin A was calculated. The newborn’s anthropometric parameters and fetal maturity were obtained from hospital records. On the basis of follow-up, in this group of 473 mothers and their newborns, this study was able to confirm a positive association between vitamin A content in a woman’s diet newborn’s anthropometric parameters. Maternal high intake of retinol equivalent was associated with higher anthropometric parameters of newborns, correspondingly: birth weight - 110.07 g; birth length - 0.61 cm, and head circumference - 0.45 cm. A statistically significant relationship was also found for high β-carotene intake and birth length and head circumference. Low vitamin A intake (<600 μg/day) was associated with a 4-fold elevated risk of IUGR. Results did not confirm any relationship between vitamin A intake and fetal maturity. Improving the nutritional habits of reproductive aged women, especially in regards to a higher intake of vegetables and fruits, may have beneficial effect for intrauterine fetal development.

Place of publishing:

Kraków

Level of degree:

2 - studia doktoranckie

Degree discipline:

epidemiologia

Degree grantor:

Wydział Lekarski

Promoter:

Tobiasz-Adamczyk, Beata

Date:

2010

Date issued:

2009

Type:

Praca doktorska

Call number:

ZB-111791

Language:

pol

Access rights:

nieograniczony