Maternal Factors Linked to Low Birth Weight Revealed
Maternal Diet and Genes Linked to Infant Birth Weight,Study Finds
New research from the Hospital Clínico San Carlos in Madrid suggests that a mother’s diet and genetic makeup play a significant role in determining a baby’s birth weight.
The study, which analyzed genetic data from over 1,600 pregnant women, identified 33 genetic variants associated with low birth weight.
“Our goal was to increase understanding of the genetic factors contributing to low birth weight by examining its connection to a set of maternal genetic variations related to gestational diabetes and the Mediterranean diet,” explained Dr.Alfonso Calle Pascual, head of the Endocrinology Service at the hospital.
The researchers combined genetic data with maternal anthropometric and metabolic data routinely collected during prenatal care. Their findings suggest that preventing and reducing the prevalence of low birth weight could be achieved through monitoring certain maternal characteristics, recommending healthy diets and lifestyles for pregnant women, and potentially incorporating maternal genome analysis for more personalized pregnancy care.healthy Eating Habits Benefit Both Mother and Child
This study builds on previous research by the same team, which in 2020 demonstrated the benefits of a Mediterranean diet enriched with extra virgin olive oil and pistachios during pregnancy.
Published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, the earlier study involving 703 children showed that this dietary approach improved the health of both mothers and children during the first two years of life, reducing hospital admissions by up to 25%.”The benefits of avoiding excess weight gain during pregnancy extend to the child,” said Dr.Calle pascual. “Our findings confirm that adherence to a Mediterranean diet, especially for women with a body mass index below 25 and normal glucose tolerance, is associated with a reduction in hospital admissions for their children up to the age of two.”
Children of mothers who followed a healthier Mediterranean diet, supplemented with extra virgin olive oil and pistachios, experienced a 25% reduction in hospitalizations due to bronchiolitis, asthma, or infectious diseases.
Previous research by the Hospital clínico San Carlos team had already shown that early adherence to a Mediterranean diet with extra virgin olive oil and nuts could reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and othre negative outcomes,while also improving the mother’s metabolic profile after childbirth.
Maternal Genes and Diet Key Players in Infant Birth weight,Study Reveals
Madrid,Spain – A groundbreaking study from the Hospital Clínico San carlos in Madrid has shed light on the complex interplay between a mother’s genes,diet,and her baby’s birth weight.
The research, which analyzed genetic data from over 1,600 expecting mothers, pinpointed 33 genetic variations linked to low birth weight.
“We aimed to unravel the genetic factors contributing to low birth weight by exploring its connection to a set of maternal genetic variations related to gestational diabetes and the Mediterranean diet,” explained Dr. Alfonso Calle Pascual, head of the endocrinology Service at the hospital.
The team combined genetic data with maternal physical measurements and metabolic data collected during routine prenatal care. Their findings suggest that tackling low birth weight could be achieved through close monitoring of specific maternal characteristics, recommending healthy diets and lifestyles for expectant mothers, and potentially integrating maternal genome analysis for more personalized pregnancy care.
Mediterranean Diet: A Recipe for Healthier Mothers and Babies
This latest study builds upon earlier research conducted by the same team,which in 2020 demonstrated the positive impact of a Mediterranean diet enriched with extra virgin olive oil and pistachios during pregnancy.
Published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, the study involving 703 children revealed that this dietary approach enhanced the health of both mothers and their children during the first two years of life, resulting in up to a 25% decrease in hospital admissions.
“The advantages of avoiding excessive weight gain during pregnancy extend to the child,” emphasized Dr. Calle Pascual. “Our findings reinforce that adherence to a Mediterranean diet, notably for women with a body mass index below 25 and normal glucose tolerance, is associated with a reduction in hospital admissions for their children up to the age of two.”
Children of mothers who followed a healthier Mediterranean diet,supplemented with extra virgin olive oil and pistachios,experienced a 25% reduction in hospitalizations due to bronchiolitis,asthma,or infectious diseases.
Prior research by the Hospital Clínico San Carlos team had already established that early adoption of a Mediterranean diet with extra virgin olive oil and nuts could mitigate the risk of gestational diabetes and other complications while together improving the mother’s metabolic health after childbirth.