Maternal Health & Nutrition

Vitamin D’s role in human physiology has been redefined in recent years. Apart from calcium homeostasis and bone health, it was revealed that immune functions can be modulated through vitamin D. It also plays a vital role in fertility, embryo implantation as well as maintenance of pregnancy.

Involving 1,249 Canadian mother-baby pairs, the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development Study (CHILD) Cohort Study evaluates the association of multiple breastmilk feeding practices, milk bacteria and milk components with neonatal microbiota composition.

Maternal administration of Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 during breastfeeding has been proposed as an efficient strategy to help prevent lactational mastitis.

• The gut-brain axis - Emergence of new human clinical studies
• Trans fats – Are we eating too much?
• Advances in HMO research – 2’-Fucosyllactose and Lacto-N-neotetraose

The review analyzed the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (EPA, and/or DHA, and or ALA) on the prevention of pregnancy-induced hypertension or preeclampsia.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control anticipated prenatal COVID-19 infection to affect fetal development like other common respiratory coronaviruses do. While the role of nutrition is obscure, this new article proposed the potential role of choline on coronavirus infection during pregnancy.

Mastitis, a common condition among breastfeeding women, is associated with decreased breastfeeding rate. This review article analyzed current evidence on the inflammatory effects of probiotics on preventing and treating mastitis.

• A summary of risk factors and latest nutritional science related to preterm birth

A cross-sectional analysis of 184 countries revealed that deficiency of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (e.g. EPA, DHA) may be a contributing factor in preterm birth. Rate of preterm birth declined linearly with increasing omega-3 intake, up to ~600 mg daily.

Special attention to type and amount of dietary carbohydrates is important in managing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) because of its impact on maternal glucose level.