[Maternal nutrition effect on fetus development and pregnant women's health].

A review is made of the main prenatal growth stages and the way they are influenced by social and biological factors pointing out the role of maternal nutrition before and during pregnancy. It is discussed the available evidence on the relation of maternal nutrition and fetal growth through clinical and epidemiological studies performed in animal and humans, analyzing the causal mechanisms of this association, including the role of placenta. Some clinical useful indicators that allow to evaluate maternal nutrition throughout gestation are presented. Emphasis is made on the impact of protein-energy malnutrition as well as on some specific deficiencies, particularly iron and folic acid. At last, the synergic effect of infection and malnutrition on low birth weight and prematurity is analyzed.