Maternal diet quality during pregnancy and its influence on low birth weight and small for gestational age: a birth cohort in Beijing, China

This study aimed to describe diet quality of pregnant women and explore the association between maternal diet and the prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA). A total of 3856 participants from a birth cohort in Beijing, China, were recruited between June 2018 and February 2019. Maternal diet in the first and second trimesters was assessed by the Chinese diet balance index for pregnancy (DBI-P), using data collected by the inconsecutive 2-d 24-h dietary recalls. Logistic regressions were performed to explore the independent effects of DBI-P components on LBW and SGA. The prevalence of LBW and SGA was 3 center dot 8% and 6 center dot 0%, respectively. Dietary intakes of the participants were imbalanced. The proportions of participants having insufficient intake of vegetables (87 center dot 3% and 86 center dot 6%), dairy product (95 center dot 9% and 96 center dot 7%) and aquatic foods (80 center dot 5% and 85 center dot 3%) were high in both trimesters. The insufficiency of fruit intake was more severe in the second (85 center dot 2%) than that in the first trimester (22 center dot 5%) (P < 0 center dot 05). After adjusting for potential confounders, the intake of fruits and dairy in the second trimester was negatively associated with the risk of LBW (OR = 0 center dot 850, 95% CI: 0 center dot 723, 0 center dot 999) and SGA (OR = 0 center dot 885, 95% CI: 0 center dot 787, 0.996), respectively. Sufficient consumption of fruits and dairy products in pregnancy may be suggested in order to prevent LBW and SGA.

Automated summary

This study aimed to describe the diet quality of pregnant women and investigate the relationship between maternal diet and the prevalence of low birth weight and small for gestational age. The results showed that inadequate intake of fruits and dairy products during the second trimester was associated with an increased risk of low birth weight and small for gestational age. Sufficient consumption of fruits and dairy products during pregnancy is recommended to prevent these adverse outcomes.