Energy and protein intake during pregnancy in relation to preterm birth: A Case Control Study

Abstract

Objective: To find the association of maternal energy and protein intake with preterm birth. Design: Case-control study. Setting: Two hospitals at Lucknow in Northern India. Participants: Cases (n=350) were defined as mothers (age 18-40 y) of singleton live preterm (<37 wks) neonates. Controls (n=350) were mothers who delivered a singleton neonate, consecutive to enrolled case, after completing 37 weeks of gestation. Results: There was a statistically significant lower mean (SD) energy intake [cases 1624 (249) Kcal vs. controls 1911 (341) Kcal; P<0.001] and protein intake [cases 32.1 (6.1) vs. controls 37.2 (7.0); P<0.001] among women who delivered preterm neonates. Maternal energy and protein intake had significant positive correlation with neonatal weight, length, foot length, head circumference and chest circumference. Conclusion: Lower energy and protein intake during pregnancy is possibly associated with preterm birth.