Optimal maternal nutritional status is required for development of a healthy infant. Drinking during pregnancy puts mothers at risk for nutrient deficiencies, endangering the health of the fetus and increasing the risk of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The current body of research has focused on interventions using nutrients important to fetal brain development (choline, DHA, folate, vitamin A, zinc) to reduce FASD in animal models. Whether mothers at risk for having a baby with FASD are consuming adequate amounts of these nutrients during pregnancy is unknown, due to a lack of sufficient research data. Therefore, this study aims to identify intake of nutrients important to fetal brain development in pregnant mothers. Through community engagement and partnerships with Mount Carmel Clinic and other prenatal programs located in Point Douglas and Downtown Winnipeg, 56 pregnant women were recruited and interviewed. Findings show that intake of certain nutrients important to fetal brain development are not being consumed in recommended amounts. While most participants met the Dietary Reference Intakes for zinc and vitamin A, only 44.6% met recommendations for folate, 48.2% for choline, and 16.1% for DHA. Dietary intake was not significantly different between women with alcohol exposure during pregnancy and those without. These results are important due to the high rate (46%) of women with prenatal alcohol exposure. Study outcomes may provide future nutrition interventions to enhance the health of mothers consuming alcohol during pregnancy and their infants, potentially reducing the effects of FASD. / October 2016
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:MANITOBA/oai:mspace.lib.umanitoba.ca:1993/31717 |
| Date | 13 September 2016 |
| Creators | Dyck, Karlee N. |
| Contributors | Suh, Miyoung (Human Nutritional Sciences), Slater, Joyce (Human Nutritional Sciences) Chudley, Albert (Paediatrics and Child Health; Biochemistry and Medical Genetics) |
| Source Sets | University of Manitoba Canada |
| Detected Language | English |
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