Association Between Diet Quality and Infant Birthweight Among Pregnant Women in a Peri-Urban Hospital Setting in Nepal

Abstract

ObjectivesMaternal dietary quality has been related to fetal growth and infant birthweight but evidence is inconclusive and only a few studies have been conducted in low-income countries including Nepal. The aim of this study was to prospectively examine the association between diet quality in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and infant birthweight in a pregnancy cohort in Nepal. MethodsIn total, 101 singleton pregnant women (age 25.9 ± 4.1 years) were recruited from a tertiary, peri-urban hospital in Dhulikhel, Nepal. In the 3rd trimester, an adapted Nepali version of the PrimeScreen questionnaire was administered, which assessed diet quality [Prime Diet Quality Score (PDQS) range: 0–42; higher score means better diet quality] based on consumption frequency of 12 healthy and 9 unhealthy food groups. Infant birthweight data was extracted from medical records. Linear regression estimated the association between diet quality and infant birthweight, adjusting for age, education, ethnicity, and pre-pregnancy BMI. Adjusting for the same covariates, a logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI for the association between diet quality and low birthweight (LBW; birthweight < 2500 grams). ResultsThe mean PDQS at the 3rd trimester was 22.6 ± 1.3 (range: 20–25) out of 42. Mean infant birthweight was 2979.0 ± 423.2 (range: 2245–4705) grams. Overall, 12.9% were small for gestational age and 4% were large for gestational age. There was no significant linear association between diet quality and infant birthweight [adjusted β (95% CI) = –10.3 (–66.4, 86.9); p = 0.79]. However, higher maternal diet quality was significantly associated with 48% reduced odds of LBW infant [adjusted OR (95% CI) = 0.52 (0.31, 0.87); p = 0.013]. ConclusionsHigher diet quality in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy was associated with lower risk of giving birth to a LBW infant among pregnant women from a peri-urban setting in Nepal. Larger population-based studies using comprehensive diet assessment tools are needed to confirm and expand these findings. Funding SourcesRutgers Global Health Institute.