Changes in skinfolds and mid-upper arm circumference during pregnancy in Argentine women.

This investigation describes the pattern of changes in mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), triceps, biceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses during the course of pregnancy, and its relationship with maternal and newborn outcomes. A prospective cohort of 1066 pregnant women were selected in seven different urban regions in Argentina. Measurements of MUAC were carried out at 16, 28 and 36 gestational weeks.

[Impact of folic acid fortification on women's nutritional status and on the prevalence of neural tube defects].

Introduction: In 2003 iron and folic acid fortification of wheat flour became mandatory in Argentina. Folate nutritional status was assessed in a national probabilistic sample of women 10-49 years old and pregnant women. Changes in the prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs) were evaluated before and after fortification.

Reference charts for weight gain and body mass index during pregnancy obtained from a healthy cohort.

Objective: To create reference charts for weight gain and body mass index (BMI) in pregnancy derived from longitudinal data obtained in a representative sample of the Argentinean population.

Methods: A prospective cohort of 1439 healthy pregnant women was selected from antenatal clinics in seven different urban regions in Argentina. Serial anthropometric measurements were made at weeks 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36 and in the last pre-natal control.