Examination of Prenatal Dietary Choline Intake, and Maternal and Infant Outcomes

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The objectives of this study were to explore associations between maternal dietary choline intake and diet quality, maternal body mass index (BMI), and infant birth weight. Methods De-identified secondary data from 251 participants in a study involving pregnant women were analyzed to investigate associations between maternal dietary choline intake and infant birth weight; maternal dietary choline intake and 2015 Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores; as well as 2015 HEI scores and maternal BMI. HEI scores were calculated from 3-day food records obtained during gestation (<10, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36 weeks). Overall dietary choline intake during pregnancy was computed from all food records. Spearman's rank-order correlations, a one-sample Wilcoxon signed rank test, and a mixed linear model were used to test the hypotheses. Results There was a statistically significant correlation between maternal choline intake and the 1st trimester and 3rd trimester 2015-HEI scores (rs(207) = 0.204, P = 0.003 and rs(207) = 0.249, P = 0.00028, respectively). Median intake of dietary choline, 267 milligrams, was significantly lower (P < 0.0005) than the adequate Intake for pregnant women (450 milligrams). There were trends (0.05 < P < 0.1) pointing to a pattern of negative association between maternal BMI and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimester 2015-HEI scores. Mixed model analysis revealed a statistically significant negative correlation (β = −0.001, P = 0.010) between maternal choline intake and infant birth weight. Conclusions As dietary choline increased, there was an associative decrease in birthweight; however, overall diet quality was poor and dietary choline intake was significantly lower than the recommended intake for pregnant women. These findings reflect the current body of evidence that pregnant women are at risk for choline inadequacy and that overall diet quality may help in preventing low choline intake during pregnancy. Funding Sources USDA-ARS Project.