The dietary composition of women who delivered preterm and full-term infants.

OBJECTIVES: Literature data show that excess and primary deficiency in particular nutrients, vitamins and minerals may lead to pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, hypertension and neural tube defects in the foetus. The aim of the study was to determine differences in average daily consumption of selected nutrients during pregnancy in women who did not supplement their diet and to evaluate the influence of dietary habits on the occurrence of pre-term delivery and hypertension in pregnant women.

SAMPLE GROUP AND METHODS: Information on the course of pregnancy and the newborn's health status at birth was derived from the Charter of Pregnancy and documents recorded by the hospital. Women's eating habits and dietary composition were analyzed on the basis of a dietary questionnaire. The sample group was divided into four groups: women who delivered neonates appropriate for gestational age (AGA), women with gestosis who delivered AGA neonates by means of caesarean sections, women who delivered pre-term neonates (PTB) and women with gestosis who delivered PTB by means of caesarean sections.

RESULTS: In the case of women with vaginal delivery at term the average intake of iodine was always higher than in other groups. Analysis of average daily intake of folates revealed a higher intake in the group of women who gave birth to full-term neonates with proper neonatal weight in comparison with the groups of women with pre-term delivery. P≤0.05.

CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant differences in average daily intake of folates, iodine, retinol, magnesium and iron were observed between the group of women with vaginal delivery at term and the groups of women with diagnosed hypertension who delivered preterm. Correlation was demonstrated between average daily intake of iodine and vitamin D and the occurrence of arterial hypertension. Supplementation of the diet of women in the preconception and prenatal period with minerals and vitamins should be considered.