Impact of maternal nutrition on growth of Foetus with an anthropological perspective: a cross sectional study in Pune city

Abstract

Objectives: A cross sectional study was conducted to observe the impact of maternal nutrition on growth of foetus with an anthropological perspective. The aim of the study was to study the effects of maternal dairy intake on foetus growth measurements including; Head circumference (HC), Biparietal diameter (BPD) Abdomen circumference (AC), Femur length (FL), and also plotting of the different percentiles for male and female foetus. Study design: In the present study a total sample 156 singleton healthy pregnant women was collected. The frame of sampling was among urban affluent pregnant women who were in third trimester and who availed at least three sonography reports which include of all four growth measurements such as: HC, BPD, AC, FL. Face to face interview method was carried out of the pregnant women population who were visiting the obstetric department of Gupte and Jehangir hospitals in Pune city, Maharashtra state for their monthly check up. During each interview, information was sought concerning the demography of pregnant mothers which comprised; maternal medical history, expectant mother’s social and educational circumstances, castereligion status, maternal work status, household activities, maternal spouse anthropometric measurements, pre-pregnancy anthropometric measurements and also maternal dietary habits. Statistical Analysis: Data processing and statistical analysis were performed by using SPSS 11.5. Statistical analysis comparison, descriptive and inference statistic were carried out. The data analysis was performed into two parts. The first part of analysis was conducted to uncover the relationship between independent and dependent variables. This analysis was coincided to the type of data means i.e. Chi –square test, for qualitative variable. Independent sample T- test, multiple linear regression model and one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-wallis test for quantitative data. In the present study we assigned the variables into categorical data (qualitative or descriptive) and continuous variable (quantitative). Result: birth weight and length were higher among newborns male than female. However only head circumference at birth was higher among female than male infants. There exists a positive association between maternal saturated oil intake and protein (g/d) with baby’s birth weight and length. Another positive, significant association was noticed between maternal daily fruits (g/d), fat (g/d) and energy (kcal/d) with birth length.