Assessing maternal dietary quality in early pregnancy in the programming of intrauterine fetal growth.

Introduction: It is established globally that a healthy maternal diet during pregnancy is important in programming fetal growth and development. The assessment of maternal dietary intake, however, is challenging both in clinical practice and in research studies. The aim of this study was to compare three individual dietary quality scores in early pregnancy based on European, American and World Health Organization (WHO) nutrient recommendations for the identification of suboptimal fetal growth.

Development of a novel Periconceptual Nutrition Score (PENS) to examine the relationship between maternal dietary quality and fetal growth.

Background: Maternal nutrition may influence intrauterine fetal development. To date, the relationship between contemporary European dietary guidelines and fetal growth has not been examined.

Aims: To develop a novel Periconceptual Nutrition Score (PENS) to assess maternal dietary quality in early pregnancy and examine its relationship with fetal growth.

The relationship between maternal plasma homocysteine in early pregnancy and birth weight.

There is limited evidence that plasma homocysteine (Hcy) is increased in women with adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as low birth weight (LBW). We examined the relationship between maternal Hcy at the first prenatal visit and birth weight. In a prospective observational study, women were recruited during their first prenatal visit after sonographic confirmation of gestational age.

Comparison at the first prenatal visit of the maternal dietary intakes of smokers with non-smokers in a large maternity hospital: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Using detailed dietary and supplement questionnaires in early pregnancy, we compared the dietary intakes of micronutrients and macronutrients at the first prenatal visit of women who reported continuing to smoke during pregnancy with the intakes of women who were non-smokers.

Design: Cross-sectional study conducted between June 2014 and March 2016.

Setting: Stand-alone tertiary maternity hospital in an urban setting with approximately 8000 deliveries per year.

The identification of maternal smokers postnatally in an Irish maternity hospital.

Background And Aims: While many women quit smoking spontaneously before or during early pregnancy, information is limited about maternal smoking as pregnancy advances. This study examined the smoking behaviour of women throughout pregnancy and immediately after delivery.

Methods: Women on the postnatal ward were consented for BCO testing and after completing this under supervision, they were asked to complete an accompanying questionnaire on smoking behaviour (unsupervised).