Question

What is the impact of malnutrition on the foetal and maternal health?

Answer 1

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Pregnancy is a critical period during which maternal nutrition has a major effect on a mother’s and baby’s health. Lack of adequate nutrition of good quality and quantity during pregnancy can cause health problems for both the mother and her fetus. Maternal malnutrition increases the risk of gestational anemia, hypertension, miscarriages and fetal deaths during pregnancy, pre-term delivery and maternal mortality. For newborn, it can cause low birth weight, fetal intrauterine growth retardation that may have long life consequences on newborn development, quality of life and health care costs. Malnutrition also has an adverse effect on the development of the immune system of the newborn. Therefore, identifying maternal nutrition and fetal development relationship is critical. A prospective Cohort study of 150 pregnant women was conducted in maternal and child health care centers in Menufia Governorate. There was a significant relationship between maternal malnutrition and maternal and newborn outcomes. Nutritional counseling needs to be an integral part of antenatal care in order to reduce the risk of maternal-fetal and newborn complications.

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