Intake Of Pregnant Women Research Articles

“Food frequency questionnaire for dietary intake of iron in pregnancy- A validation study”

Background and objectiveNutrition in pregnancy plays an important role for wellbeing of mother and fetus, later it further influences the development of child. Iron is one among the most important micronutrients required in pregnancy. There is no validated Food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess iron intake in pregnant women. This initiated the process to develop and validate a FFQ to assess dietary intake of Iron in Pregnant women. MethodologyBased on the food habits in study region and foods rich in iron, in reference to the standard literature, the FFQ was prepared. FFQ was designed in the following categories-cereal grains and products, pulses & legumes, green leafy vegetables, roots-tuber & other vegetables, nuts & seeds, Fruits, non-veg foods and milk & milk products. Content validity carried out by subject experts. To perform construct validity, 25 Primary health centre and 25 Tertiary care hospital pregnant women were interviewed using this FFQ and 24 h diet recall method. The results of both records were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed rank test. Internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha) and construct validity (Pearson correlation) of the questionnaire were determined. ResultsOverall internal reliability of questionnaire is 0.804, indicating good reliability and showing satisfactory construct validity. Median dietary iron intake from FFQ method was 7.67 mg/day and 24 h dietary recall method was 15.70 mg/day. There was a significant difference between both method in assessing dietary iron intake. ConclusionThe FFQ designed in this study is reliable and valid tool to assess dietary iron intake among pregnant women.

Effect of educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) on amount of salt intake in pregnant women with PreHypertension

BackgroundPrehypertension is one of the common disorders during pregnancy. Reducing salt intake is among the best cost-effective interventions to reduce the risk of hypertension. The present study aimed to explore the effect of an educational intervention based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) on amount of salt consumed by prehypertensive pregnant women.MethodsThe present quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2022 on 61 prehypertensive pregnant women visiting the Comprehensive Health Services Centers in Birjand, Iran. Pregnant women were selected through a convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. A blood pressure test and a 24-hour urine test were taken in 3 stages (before, immediately after, and one month after the intervention). A reliable and valid questionnaire based on the TPB was used to measure the cognitive variables. The intervention program included three training sessions based on the TPB held on an online platform (WhatsApp social network). Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and longitudinal marginal model with the GEE approach in SPSS19. The significance level for all statistical tests was set at p < 0 0.05.ResultsAfter intervention, the mean score of perceived behavioral control (p = 0.02), intention (p = 0.004), and salt consumption behavior (p = 0.03) increased significantly in the intervention group, and the mean score of systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.01) decreased significantly in this group. In the control group, a statistically significant difference was observed in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the subjects (p < 0.01). However, the score of attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intention, salt consumption behavior and the daily salt intake did not show a statistically significant difference over time (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe present findings showed that the perceived behavioral control, intention, behavior, systolic and diastolic blood pressure can be modifiable variables to improve the amount of salt consumed by pre-hypertensive pregnant women. Therefore, we recommend that the present model be used to develop interventions to improve health indicators in pregnant women as a highly susceptible group in society.

Evaluation of Polyphenol Intake in Pregnant Women from South-Eastern Spain and the Effect on Anthropometric Measures at Birth and Gestational Age.

During pregnancy, controlling nutrition is crucial for the health of both mother and foetus. While polyphenols have positive health effects, some studies show harmful outcomes during pregnancy. This study evaluated polyphenol intake in a cohort of mother-child pairs and examined its effects on foetal anthropometric parameters. Polyphenol intake was assessed using food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) and 24-h dietary recalls, and analysed with the Phenol-Explorer database. Gestational age and birth measurements were retrieved from medical records. Statistical analyses validated dietary records and assessed polyphenol impact using multivariate generalised linear models. The study found that mean gestational age was 39.6 weeks, with a mean birth weight of 3.33 kg. Mean total polyphenol intake by FFQ was 2231 mg/day, slightly higher than 24-h recall data. Flavonoids and phenolic acids constituted 52% and 37% of intake, respectively, with fruits and legumes as primary sources. This study highlights the use of FFQs to estimate polyphenol intake. Furthermore, the study found associations between polyphenol consumption and anthropometric parameters at birth, with the effects varying depending on the type of polyphenol. However, a more precise evaluation of individual polyphenol intake is necessary to determine whether the effects they produce during pregnancy may be harmful or beneficial for foetal growth.

Plain Water Intake, Sleep Quality, and Hydration Status of Pregnant Woman in Hainan, China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Both short and long sleep durations are associated with decreased kidney function; however, few studies have examined the relationship between sleep, hydration status, and plain water intake. This study aimed to assess the relationship between sleep quality, hydration status, and plain water intake in pregnant women. A cross-sectional study method was used to collect data from 380 pregnant women with regular examinations at the hospital between May 2019 and February 2021. There were statistically significant differences in daily plain water intake (x2 = 14.118, p = 0.001), PSQI score (x2 = 77.708, p < 0.001), sleep duration (x2 = 67.569, p > 0.001), subjective sleep quality (x2 = 67.441, p = 0.001), time to fall asleep (x2 = 64.782, p < 001), sleep disorders (x2 = 70.853, p < 0.001), and daytime dysfunction (x2 = 38.441, p < 0.001) among different hydration status groups. Ordinal logistic regression results indicated that the intake of plain water ≥1500 mL/d (OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.24~0.67), good subjective sleep quality (OR = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.07~0.32), short time to fall asleep (OR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.14~0.70), 8 h of sleep (OR = 0.06, 95% CI = 0.02~0.17), 6-7 h of sleep (OR = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.07~0.54), no sleep disturbance (OR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.11~0.89), and high sleep efficiency (OR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.03~0.79) were factors that were correlated with optimal hydration status. Sleep duration and daytime dysfunction partially mediated the effect of plain water intake on hydration status. The mediating effect of sleep duration was -0.036, accounting for 14.006% of the overall effect. The mediating effect of daytime dysfunction was -0.024, accounting for 9.459% of the overall effect. The hydration status in pregnant women may be affected by daily plain water intake and sleep quality.

Validation of the Weight-Related Eating Questionnaire in pregnancy

The Weight-Related Eating Questionnaire (WREQ), designed for assessing distinct constructs of dietary restraint and disinhibition-related eating behaviors, has not been validated in pregnancy. This secondary data analysis aimed to evaluate the WREQ's psychometrics in a diverse sample of pregnant women from the eMoms randomized controlled trial (N = 1399), randomly split for exploratory (EFA, n = 691) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA, n = 708). Cronbach's alpha and corrected item-total correlation was used to examine internal consistency reliability. Sequential multiple regression analyses were used to assess criterion validity. EFA revealed three factors – dietary restraint, susceptibility to external cues, and emotional eating – accounting for 65.6 % of total variances. Parallel analysis confirmed a combination of two restraint subtypes (routine restraint and compensatory restraint). CFA showed that item 3 for assessing routine restraint had the lowest squared multiple correlation (0.22). The overall Cronbach's alpha of 0.87 demonstrated good internal consistency. Dietary restraint was negatively associated with the intake of energy (p = .03) and carbohydrates (p = .02), whereas susceptibility to external cues was positively associated with the intake of energy (p < .001), carbohydrates (p < .001), and total fat (p = .003). Additionally, emotional eating was positively associated with early-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) after adjustment for covariates (p < .001). These findings confirmed the reliability of the WREQ, the construct validity for susceptibility to external cues and emotional eating, and demonstrated its criterion validity regarding nutritional intake in pregnant women.

Effects of an individualized nutritional educational program in pregnant women: A randomized controlled trial in Japan.

To evaluate the effectiveness of an individualized nutritional education program in promoting adequate nutrient intake in pregnant women. A stratified randomized controlled trial was conducted. Participants were stratified by factors affecting the primary outcome and randomly assigned to the intervention or control groups. Intervention group participants received an individualized 30-min booklet-based education program in their 2nd and 3rd trimesters; the control group received usual care. The primary outcome was protein intake after the intervention, which was compared between the intervention and control groups. Secondary outcomes included comparing the amount of increase of protein before and after the intervention. Nutrient intake was measured using a self-administered short dietary history questionnaire, and analyses of covariance and t tests were performed. Of the 130 participants, 66 were assigned to the intervention group and 64 to the control group. There was no difference in protein intake between the two groups after the intervention (p = .051, 95% CI [-0.021, 12.4]). Comparing the increase in protein intake before and after intervention, the intervention group was 7.4 g/day higher than that of the control group (p = .040; F = 4.31; effect size = 0.36). The primary outcome, a comparison of protein intake between the groups after the program, revealed no significant differences. However, on comparing the amount of protein increase before and after the intervention, the intervention group's increase was significantly higher than that of the control group. Results indicate the potential for individualized face-to-face interventions for pregnant women in Japan.

Choline in pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Choline is a critical nutrient. Inadequate choline intake during pregnancy increases the risk of adverse maternal and offspring health. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to examine the current recommendations for choline intake by pregnant women, estimate the overall prevalence of pregnant women with adequate choline intake, and explore associations between maternal choline level and adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). Choline recommendations for pregnant women were assessed from eight nutrient guidelines of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Asia, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, and World Health Organization. Data on the prevalence of pregnant women with adequate choline intake and the association between maternal choline level and APOs were collected from 5 databases up to May 2023. Meta-analyses with random effects and subgroup analyses were performed for the pooled estimate of prevalence and association. Five recent nutrition guidelines from the United States (United States Department of Agriculture), United States (Food and Drug Administration), Canada, Australia, and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics have emphasized the importance of adequate choline intake for pregnant women. Of 27 publications, 19 articles explored the prevalence and 8 articles explored the association. Meta-analysis of 12 prevalence studies revealed a concerning 11.24% (95% confidence interval, 6.34-17.26) prevalence of pregnant women with adequate choline intake recommendations. A meta-analysis of 6 studies indicated a significant association between high maternal choline levels and a reduced risk of developing APOs, with an odds ratio of 0.51 (95% confidence interval, 0.40-0.65). The existing guidelines highlight the importance of choline in supporting maternal health and fetal development during pregnancy. Furthermore, a high maternal choline level was likely to be associated with a lower risk of APOs. However, 88.76% of pregnant women do not achieve the optimal choline intake. Therefore, specific policies and actions may be necessary to improve choline intake in pregnant women's care and support the well-being of pregnant women. PROSPERO registration no. CDR42023410561.

Association of Vitamin D Intake in Pregnant Women and Birth Weight

Background: Insufficient maternal consumption of vitamin D can have adverse effects on fetal development and increase the likelihood of low birth weight. This research aimed to establish the correlation between the quantity of vitamin D consumed by expectant mothers and the weight of newborns. Methods: This study utilized an analytical observational design with a cross-sectional approach, collecting data from August to November 2022. Information on Vitamin D intake and birthweight was obtained via questionnaire interviews with 96 pregnant women delivering at the University of North Sumatera Hospital or Maharani Women’s and Children Hospital. Semi-Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQs) served as the data collection instrument. Non-probability consecutive sampling was employed. Statistical techniques, including Chi-square and Fisher's Exact test, were used for data analysis. Findings indicated a prevalence of inadequate vitamin D intake among mothers (3.125%). The mean daily consumption of vitamin D among expectant women was 19.99 μg/day. Mother's education level did not significantly influence the outcome (p=0.589). Results: The results of this study suggest that there was no significant association between maternal age at pregnancy (p=0. 135), gestational age (p=0. 771), parity (p=0958), and baby's sex (p=0. 448) with birth weight. Conclusion: An observed association existed between the prenatal intake of vitamin D and neonatal birth weight in expectant mothers.

Assessing vitamin A intake among pregnant women: The creation and validation of a semi-quantitative FFQ specific for vitamin A in a tertiary healthcare center

: This study aims to develop a semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) to assess vitamin A levels using 24-hour food recall in pregnant women and further validate the formulated FFQ. Our study found a significant correlation between the 24-hour recall and FFQ results, indicating that the developed FFQ is a valid and useful tool for assessing vitamin A intake in pregnant women.: This was a two-phase study conducted at a Tertiary health care centre in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, consisting of two groups: Group A (55 participants) and Group B (68 participants). Phase I consisted of administering a 24-hour food recall to group A participants to collect their vitamin A intake and develop a FFQ. During Phase II of the study, FFQ was administered to Group B participants, which estimated vitamin A intake over the past 30 days. These patients were then contacted within a week of the administration of FFQ, and a 24-hour recall was administered. The results collected from the 24-hour recall were used to validate FFQ.: Results showed r value under Pearson coefficient was 0.743 (95% CI = 0.613 - 0.834, p &amp;#60;0.001), indicating a strong and significant relationship, and rho under Spearman coefficient was 0.686 (95% CI = 0.535 - 0.794, p &amp;#60;0.001) indicated the presence of a significant correlation suggesting the FFQ is valid.: The results of this study found that the developed FFQ is a valid and useful tool for assessing vitamin A intake in pregnant women and can be utilised to assess vitamin A intake.

Two Eggs A Day Can Increase Choline Intake and Size of Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) in Pregnant Women in Indonesia

Background: Good nutritional intake is very important for pregnant women to prevent stunting in children. However, the problem of CED in pregnant women in Indonesia remains high. Higher choline intake in pregnant women is associated with better memory in a child by the time the child turns 7 years old. Choline functions in the process of methylation and cholinergic transmission during the process of brain development in children. Modification of the high choline diet in daily menu is needed by pregnant women to increase choline intake and size of MUAC. Objective: This study aims to examine the effectiveness of high choline diet modification on changes in choline intake and size of MUAC in pregnant women. Methods: A total of 14 pregnant women in the treatment group received 2 eggs every day, while 13 pregnant women in the control group received education on balanced nutrition during the study period. Changes in choline intake and size of MUAC were stastiscally compared between the two groups. Results: There was a significant change in the average intake of choline before and after the intervention in pregnant women between the treatment and control group (p &lt; 0.05). The results stated that there was a significant difference in the size of MUAC in pregnant women between the treatment and control groups (p &lt; 0.05). Energy intake was not a confounder of the intervention outcome. Conclusion: Modification of low choline level diet by giving 2 eggs a day for 1 month as an additional food in the diet of pregnant women can increase choline intake and size of MUAC.

Differential dietary intake and contribution of ultra-processed foods during pregnancy according to nutritional status.

Frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) during pregnancy is linked to excess intake of added sugar, fat, and sodium and inadequacy of several micronutrients. Diet quality during pregnancy should be maximized as inadequate levels of key nutrients and excessive intake of energy and added sugar might influence mother-child health. We aimed to estimate the contribution (% of total calories) of ultra-processed products to the total energy intake by pre-gestational body mass index (BMI) categories and Hb status during pregnancy in participants from the MAS-Lactancia Cohort. Pre-gestational weight, hemoglobin levels, 24-h dietary intake recall interviews, and sociodemographic data were collected during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Reported consumed foods were categorized using the NOVA classification, and the contribution of calories from each NOVA category was estimated using the Mexican Food Database. We estimated medians and interquartile ranges (p25 and p75) for dietary intake and energy contributions. The comparison of intake between the second and third trimesters was done using the Wilcoxon test. In addition, a quantile regression model with an interaction between pre-gestational BMI and Hb levels status in tertiles over the percentage of energy from UPFs was adjusted by age and socioeconomic status. The contribution to total energy intake from UPFs was 27.4% in the second trimester and 27% in the third trimester (with no statistical difference). The percentage of energy intake from UPFs was higher in women who started pregnancy with obesity and presented the lowest levels of Hb (1st tertile), 23.1, 35.8, and 44.7% for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles, respectively, compared to those with normal BMI and the highest tertile of Hb levels: 18, 29.0, and 38.6% for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles, respectively. In conclusion, UPF intake in pregnant women is similar to the general population and was higher for those with pre-gestational obesity and the lowest tertile of Hb levels. UPF contributes also to sugar, saturated fat, and sodium, which may adversely affect the health of mothers and their offspring.

The Effect of SEKAR (Sumber Edukasi Anemia yang Relevan) Card-Based Nutrition Education on Knowledge and Iron Intake in Pregnant Women

Anemia in pregnant women is one of the most common public health emergencies, especially in low- and middle-income countries, such as Indonesia. This study aims to determine the effect of SEKAR (Sumber Edukasi Anemia yang Relevan) card-based nutrition education on knowledge and iron intake in pregnant women at the Mangkupalas Samarinda Health Center. The type of research used is an experimental study with a pre-test and post-test research design with the control group. A total of 36 pregnant women were taken into samples divided into 2 groups, namely 18 interventions and 18 controls based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Nutrition education variables were obtained using SEKAR cards and leaflets containing information about anemia. The knowledge was obtained using a structured questionnaire that had been validated and a pregnant woman's iron intake was obtained using a 24-hour in-depth food recall interview. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests. Results show that the effect of nutrition education using SEKAR on the knowledge of pregnant women (p = 0.003), and iron intake (p = 0.031). Leaflet media did not affect knowledge (p = 0.072) and iron intake (p = 0.078). There was a significant difference between SEKAR cards and leaflets on knowledge improvement (p = 0.001) and there was no significant difference between the use of SEKAR card media and leaflets on iron intake (p = 0.516). Media SEKAR is superior and effective was used in this study. It is hoped that there will be continuous nutrition education

The Relationship Between Energy, Protein, and Fat Intake in Pregnant Women with Infant Weight and Length

The 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) data highlights the prevalent issue of Chronic Energy Deficiency (KEK) among pregnant women. This prospective cohort study investigates the correlation between energy, protein, and fat intake in pregnant women and their infants' birth weight and length. Utilizing purposive sampling, third-trimester pregnant women were interviewed through questionnaires and food recall tables. Data processing involved editing, entering, and tabulating, with correlation analysis revealing that inadequate energy intake (61%) and protein intake (51.2%) were typical. Fat intake, predominantly sufficient (87.8%), exhibited minimal inadequacy (5%). Although energy intake influenced body weight, it did not impact birth length. Protein intake affected body length but not body weight, while fat intake influenced body weight without affecting birth length. Notably, most infants exhibited average birth weight (95.1%) and regular body length (95.1%).

Serum iodine concentration and its associations with thyroid function and dietary iodine in pregnant women in the southeast coast of China: a cross-sectional study.

Iodine deficiency is a major public health problem in pregnant women. Serum iodine (SI) may represent a useful biomarker for iodine nutrition evaluation. We aimed to assess the relationship between serum iodine concentration (SIC) and urinary iodine concentration (UIC), dietary iodine, thyroid function, and thyroid diseases in pregnant women in the southeast coast of China, and to provide a normal reference range of SIC for pregnant women. A multistage random sampling method was used to select the study population. We collected urine and blood samples from pregnant women and determined UIC and SIC as well as thyroid function using Arsenic-Cerium Catalytic Spectrophotometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and Beckman Coulter Access2 chemiluminescent immunoanalyzer and kit, respectively, and administered a questionnaire on dietary iodine intake in pregnant women. There was a significant negative correlation between SI and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) (r = -0.141) and a significant positive correlation between SI and free triiodothyronine (FT3) (r = 0.106), free thyroxine (FT4) (r = 0.236), triiodothyronine (TT3) (r = 0.229), total thyroxine (TT4) (r = 0.433), and dietary iodine intake (r = 0.068). There was a significant difference in SI levels of pregnancy between the second (78.13 μg/L) and third trimester (75.37 μg/L) (p = 0.018). SI levels between inadequate intake (74.58 μg/L) and appropriate intake (77.92 μg/L) groups were statistically different (p = 0.036). Low SIC was a risk factor for the development of hypothyroxinemia (adjusted OR = 3.14, 95% confidence interval: 1.75-5.66). The reference range for SIC in normal pregnant women is 45.03-112.44 μg/L. SI may be a composite indicator of iodine nutritional status and thyroid function.

PEMBERDAYAAN KADER DENGAN “GERTING” GERAKAN ANTI STUNTING MELALUI EDUKASI DAN PENGOLAHAN PANGAN ORGANIK SEBAGAI UPAYA PENCEGAHAN STUNTING DI KECAMATAN TATAH MAKMUR

Stunting is a condition of malnutrition that is related to past nutritional deficiencies. The cause of stunting is a multi-dimensional factor and is not only caused by a lack of nutritional intake in pregnant women or toddlers. The government at the national level has issued various policies and regulations which are expected to contribute to reducing the prevalence of stunting, including: National Long Term Development Plan on 2005–2025. Based on data in 2021 from the Indonesian Nutrition Status Survey, South Kalimantan was in the 6th highest position with a stunting prevalence of 30%, while for districts/cities in South Kalimantan the 4th highest stunting prevalence is Banjar Regency (40.2%), Tapin (33.5%), Barito Kuala (32.4%), and Balangan (32.3%) which then became priority areas for handling stunting cases in 2022. This activity aims to empower the community in the anti-stunting movement through education and training on local organic food processing to be one solution in preventing and handling stunting in Tatah Makmur District, South Kalimantan. The implementation method by education about stunting, training in local organic food processing (moringa nuggets) and providing packages of ingredients for making moringa nuggets and evaluating activities through pre and post test questionnaires. The results of the service activities showed that from 30 Posyandu cadres in 13 villages on Tatah Makmur District, there was an increase in knowledge about stunting increase 33% and an increase in knowledge about healthy food for toddlers is 20%. This activity also increases cadre motivation as evidenced by the cadre's enthusiasm for processing moringa nuggets at Posyandu as an additional menu for toddlers. It is hoped that similar activities can be carried out again with the different innovations in order to accelerate the reduction of stunting in South Kalimantan.

Validation of a food frequency questionnaire in the assessment of dietary glycemic index, glycemic load, and protein intake in pregnant women with obesity

ObjectivesStudies suggest that diets with a low glycemic index and high protein are favorable in aiding weight loss and improving weight maintenance; however, methods to measure dietary intake are comprehensive both for the participant and the study staff. We aimed to validate the accuracy of the dietary glycemic index and protein intake assessed through a food frequency questionnaire against a 4-d weighed food record in Danish pregnant women with obesity. MethodsA total of 31 pregnant women completed a 29-item food frequency questionnaire and a 4-d weighed food record with overlapping time periods. The women had a mean (± SD) age of 30.6 ± 3.9 y and a prepregnancy body mass index of 33.9 ± 3.5 kg/m2. We evaluated the validity of the food frequency questionnaire by Bland-Altman plots and the Spearman correlation coefficient. ResultsThe results of the validation study found good acceptance of the 29-item food frequency questionnaire. The mean intake of glycemic index, glycemic load, and protein intake of the 29-item food frequency questionnaire and the weighed food record correlated well, although intake data of the 29-item food frequency questionnaire tended to be lower. Spearman correlation coefficients had moderate to high correlations for glycemic index (ρ = 0.73; P < 0.001) and protein intake (ρ = 0.70; P < 0.001). A moderate correlation was found for glycemic load (ρ = 0.55; P = 0.002). There was no correlation for carbohydrates (ρ = 0.21; P = 0.253). ConclusionThe results suggest no risk of bias between the two methods of assessment; hence, a 29-item food frequency questionnaire can be used to assess the mean glycemic index, glycemic load, and protein intake in pregnant women with obesity.

Tomato Juice to Increase Haemoglobin Levels in Pregnant Women

Introduction: Anemia in pregnancy is a condition of a mother with a hemoglobin level below 11 gr/dl in the first and third trimesters, or a hemoglobin level of less than 10.5 gr/dl in the second trimester. In Indonesia, anemia is generally caused by iron deficiency. Iron deficiency anemia is anemia caused by a deficiency of iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 due to inadequate intake or low availability of iron. Efforts that can be made to overcome the lack of iron intake in pregnant women are to regularly consume Fe tablets. The presence of side effects from Fe tablets and physiological changes during pregnancy may increase pregnant women's non-compliance in consuming Fe tablets. Non-compliance between pregnant women consuming Fe tablets can cause anemia in pregnant women. The source of iron is not only obtained from consuming iron (Fe) tablets. Pregnant women can get iron from various foods that contain iron, including tomatoes. Objective: This literature review aims to examine further about giving tomato juice to increase hemoglobin levels in pregnant women. Method: The method used in writing this article is a review of research results related to giving tomato juice to increase hemoglobin levels in pregnant women. Result: Based on the articles that have been analyzed, it can be seen that giving tomato juice can increase hemoglobin levels in pregnant women with anemia. Conclusion: Tomato juice can accelerate the absorption of iron and increase the production of red blood cells so that hemoglobin levels increase. Referring to these conclusions, pregnant women should consume tomato juice regularly.

Iodized Salt May Not Be Sufficient to Guarantee an Adequate Iodine Intake in Pregnant Women.

Adequate iodine intake is of crucial importance in pregnancy to meet the thyroid hormone needs of both mother and fetus. In the present study, undertaken as a part of the surveillance actions following the introduction in Italy of a national salt iodination program in 2005, the iodine intake was investigated in 123 pregnant women and 49 control women living in the same area of central Italy. All the participants were screened for urinary iodine concentration (UIC), serum level of thyrotropin, free-thyroxine, free-triiodothyronine, and thyroid volume. Moreover, they were provided with a questionnaire on the use of iodine-containing salt or supplements. Control women had a median UIC of 102 µg/L, consistent with an iodine sufficiency, while in pregnant women the median UIC value was 108 µg/L, lower than the endorsed UIC of 150 µg/L. In addition, pregnant women showed a significantly increased median thyroid volume compared to controls. Interestingly, the median UIC did not differ between pregnant women not using iodine-containing salt or supplements and those regularly consuming iodized salt alone, while pregnant women with a daily intake of iodine-containing supplements had an adequate median UIC (168 µg/L). In conclusion, the data reported here showed that pregnant women and their fetuses are still exposed to the detrimental effects of iodine deficiency and that the consumption of iodine-containing supplements should be recommended in pregnancy.

The Relationship between Maternal Characteristics and Folic Acid Intake with the Incidence of Anemia in Pregnant Women in Percut Sei Tuan District

Anemia is a nutritional problem with a high prevalence. Anemia often occurs in teenagers, women of childbearing age, and pregnant women. This study aims to determine the relationship between maternal characteristics and folic acid intake with the incidence of anemia in pregnant women. The design of this study is cross sectional. The population is all pregnant women in the second and third trimesters in three villages in the Percut Sei Tuan sub-district. The sampling in this research was porpusive sampling. Data collection was carried out through interviews using questionnaires and food recall tables as research instruments. Data processing through editing, entering and tabulating. Data analysis used the Chi Square test with Ci 95%. The results of the study showed that 87.8% of mothers in the good age group did not experience anemia and 12.1% of mothers in the unfavorable age group experienced anemia. 90.2% of mothers in the good parity group were not anemic and 9.8% of mothers in the poor parity group were anemic. 90.2% of mothers with good ANC group experienced anemia and 9.8% of mothers with poor ANC group did not experience anemia. 9.8% of pregnant women in the good folic acid intake group were not anemic and 48.8% of pregnant women in the not good folic acid intake group were anemic. There is a relationship between parity, ANC visits and folic acid intake in pregnant women in Percut Sei Tuan District. And there is no relationship between maternal age and the incidence of anemia in Percut Sei Tuan District.

Vegetarian diets and global disparities in calcium intake in pregnant women: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

AbstractBackgroundVegetarian diets are currently experiencing increasing popularity and are also becoming more common in pregnant women. Calcium plays a crucial role for skeletal health and for physiologic processes during pregnancy for the mother and foetus.AimsOur study aimed to evaluate calcium intake of vegetarian versus nonvegetarian expectant mothers.Materials and MethodsWe searched PubMed and retrieved seven studies (six prospective cohort and one cross‐sectional) for inclusion in our random‐effects meta‐analysis. We calculated standardised mean differences (SMD).ResultsResults showed a significantly higher calcium intake in vegetarian than nonvegetarian pregnant women [SMD: 0.25; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.14, 0.36].DiscussionMost studies showed that the recommendations for calcium intake during pregnancy (ranging from 700 to 1200 mg/d) were met. Both vegetarian and nonvegetarian pregnant women showed higher calcium intakes in Europe and North America than in Asia. Serum calcium levels did not differ between vegetarian and nonvegetarian pregnant women (SMD: − 0.15; 95% CI: −0.42, 0.11), confirming that the tight regulation of calcium metabolism is not affected by dietary calcium intake.ConclusionTo prevent inadequate calcium intake potentially associated with adverse gestational outcomes, we recommend adherence to existing recommendations by means of calcium supplementation (1.5–2 g/d), food fortification strategies, or behavioural interventions.