ADHERENCE TO THE UNHEALTHY DIETARY PATTERN DURING PREGNANCY CAN CAUSE LOW BIRTH WEIGHT IN NEONATES

Background and Aim: Low birth weight (LBW) is important health indicator. Maternal nutritional status during pregnancy may be a factor in increasing the risk of LBW. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between the maternal dietary patterns during the pregnancy and the LBW infants in City of Qazvin, Iran.Methods: A total of 160 healthy pregnant women referred to health centers in Qazvin participated in this case-control study. Participants divided into two groups based on the birth weight of each infant in case (LBW; n=80) and control (normal birth weight; n=80) group. Data were collected using demographic questionnaire and a Food Frequency Questionnaire.Results: In this study were known 2 dietary patterns included: healthy dietary pattern and the unhealthy food pattern. A significant relationship was observed between the mother s unhealthy dietary pattern and the birth weight of the infant during pregnancy after homogenizing the age, occupation and education level of mothers. The incidence of LBW was higher in mothers who had higher adherence to unhealthy dietary patterns during pregnancy. Also, the infant birth weight was also significantly higher in mothers who did not gain proper weight during pregnancy. However, there was no significant relationship between LBW and maternal diet and pre-pregnancy weight.Conclusion: Adherence to unhealthy dietary patterns during pregnancy negatively affects pregnancy outcomes and leads to increased LBW. Also, proper maternal weight gain during pregnancy is an important factor in the prevention of LBW infants.

Keywords:

birth weight , infant , dietary pattern , pregnancy