Maternal intake of Vitamin D, Zinc and Folic acid on birth outcome: A review

Abstract

The nutritional state of women is a crucial role to determine the developments and successful pregnancy outcomes. Micronutrient deficiencies among women during pregnancy can result in low birth weight and other infant health outcomes. Intervention trials and observational studies have demonstrated that diminished maternal levels of vitamin D correlate with proportional restrictions in fetal growth, as well as a heightened risk of preterm delivery and reduced size for gestational age at the time of birth. Zinc plays an important during pregnancy and lactation as it helps in fetal development, secretion of milk etc. Folic acid is necessary for normal foetal spine, brain and skull development. The researches indicate that the increasing risks of preterm delivery, pre-pregnancy size, low stature, underweight and overweight are associated women’s nutrition prior to and during the first trimester of pregnancy. The knowledge gaps that need to be addressed include the evaluation of peri-conceptional interventions such as food supplements, multivitamin-mineral supplements and or specific micronutrients (iron, zinc, iodine, vitamin B-6 and B-12) as well as the relationship between measures of pre-pregnancy body size and composition and maternal, neonatal and child health outcomes.