Shally Awasthi1, M Chauhan, M Pandey, S Singh, U Singh. 1. Department of Pediatrics and *Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Georges Medical University, Lucknow, UP, India. Correspondence to: Dr Shally Awasthi, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, King Georges Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. Shally07@gmail.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To find the association of maternal energy and protein intake with preterm birth. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Two hospitals at Lucknow in Northern India. PARTICIPANTS: Cases (n=350) were defined as mothers (age 18-40 y) of singleton live preterm (<37 wks) neonates. Controls (n=350) were mothers who delivered a singleton neonate, consecutive to enrolled case, after completing 37 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant lower mean (SD) energy intake [cases 1624 (249) Kcal vs. controls 1911 (341) Kcal; P<0.001] and protein intake [cases 32.1 (6.1) vs. controls 37.2 (7.0); P<0.001] among women who delivered preterm neonates. Maternal energy and protein intake had significant positive correlation with neonatal weight, length, foot length, head circumference and chest circumference. CONCLUSION: Lower energy and protein intake during pregnancy is possibly associated with preterm birth.
OBJECTIVE: To find the association of maternal energy and protein intake with preterm birth. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Two hospitals at Lucknow in Northern India. PARTICIPANTS: Cases (n=350) were defined as mothers (age 18-40 y) of singleton live preterm (<37 wks) neonates. Controls (n=350) were mothers who delivered a singleton neonate, consecutive to enrolled case, after completing 37 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant lower mean (SD) energy intake [cases 1624 (249) Kcal vs. controls 1911 (341) Kcal; P<0.001] and protein intake [cases 32.1 (6.1) vs. controls 37.2 (7.0); P<0.001] among women who delivered preterm neonates. Maternal energy and protein intake had significant positive correlation with neonatal weight, length, foot length, head circumference and chest circumference. CONCLUSION: Lower energy and protein intake during pregnancy is possibly associated with preterm birth.