Fetal growth: relationship with maternal dietary intakes

Abstract

One hundred urban and 85 rural pregnant women in third trimester were subjected for the studies of dietary intakes and the body size (weight for height ratio index). The intrauterine growth of newborn infants was assessed at birth by weight, crown-heel length and head circumference. The fetal growth improved significantly with increasing maternal caloric and protein intakes. The mean values of weight, crown-heel length and head circumference of newborn infants were significantly higher in mothers receiving more than 2000 kcals and 75g of proteins as compared to the mean values observed for newborns of mothers with dietary caloric and protein intakes less than 1500 kcals and 45.0g respectively in both urban and rural subjects. No significant difference was observed in the growth parameters of newborn infants with further increase in the maternal caloric intake above 2000 kcals. Further the total protein intake influenced the newborn's weight significantly irrespective of the animal protein content. © 1983 Dr. K C Chaudhuri Foundation.