Are women with history of pre-eclampsia starting a new pregnancy in good nutritional status in South Africa and Zimbabwe?

CORMICK, GABRIELA; BETRÁN, ANA PILAR; HARBRON, JANETTA; DANNEMANN PURNAT, TINA; PARKER, CATHERINE; HALL, DAVID; SEUC, ARMANDO H.; ROBERTS, JAMES M.; BELIZÁN, JOSÉ M.; HOFMEYR, G. JUSTUS

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

BMC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2018 vol. 18

Background:Maternal nutritional status before and during pregnancy is an important contributor to pregnancyoutcomes and early child health. The aim of this study was to describe the preconceptional nutritional status anddietary intake during pregnancy in high-risk women from South Africa and Zimbabwe.Methods:This is a prospective observational study, nested to the CAP trial. Anthropometric measurements beforeand during pregnancy and dietary intake using 24-h recall during pregnancy were assessed. The Intake DistributionEstimation software (PC-SIDE) was usedto evaluate nutrient intakeadequacy taking the Estimated Average Requirement(EAR) as a cut-off point.Results:Three hundred twelve women who had pre-eclampsia in their last pregnancy and delivered in hospitals fromSouth Africa and Zimbabwe were assessed. 73.7 and 60.2% womeninSouthAfricaandZimbabwe, respectively startedtheir pregnancy with BMI above normal (BMI≥25) whereas the prevalence of underweight was virtually non-existent.The majority of women had inadequate intakes of micronutrients. Considering food and beverage intake only, none ofthe micronutrients measured achieved the estimated average requirement. Around 60% of pregnant women reportedtaking folic acid or iron supplements in South Africa, but almost none did so in Zimbabwe.Conclusion:We found a high prevalence of overweight and obesity and high micronutrient intake inadequacyin pregnant women who had the previous pregnancy complicated with pre-eclampsia. The obesity figures andmicronutrient inadequacy are issues of concern that need to be addressed. Pregnant women have regular contactswith the health system; these opportunities could be used to improve diet and nutrition.Trial registration:PACTR201105000267371. Registered 06 December 2010.Keywords:Nutrient intake, Weight, Pregnancy, Supplement, Obesity, BM