The relationship of maternal micronutrient intakes of Vitamin B12, vitamin B6, folate and calcium on intrauterine growth retardation and birth weight : a prospective cohort study of urban South Indian pregnant women (original) (raw)

Micronutrients and pregnancy outcomes 5 Chapter 3 Methodology Details of the study design and the protocols, the questionnaires used, assessment of the biochemical markers etc are described. The general characteristics of the study subjects are described and the statistical tools employed are also mentioned. Chapter 4 Validity of a semi quantitative food frequency questionnaire in the dietary assessment of south Indian pregnant women.  This chapter describes the relative validity of the FFQ used in the studies and its usefulness; in comparison to 24 hr dietary recall method (24-HDR), as the reference tool. The dietary intakes of vitamin B 12 , vitamin B 6 and folate obtained from FFQ were also compared with the biomarkers (micronutrient serum status).  The pros and cons of the methods are discussed in detail and the advantage of using FFQ in an epidemiological study is mentioned. Chapter 5 Influence of maternal dietary intakes of B vitamins (vitamin B 12 , vitamin B 6 and folate) and vitamin B rich food groups on LBW, SGA and preterm births. This chapter investigates the relationship between dietary intakes of micronutrients of the methionine cycle; vitamin B 12 , folate and vitamin B 6 and birth outcomes.  Among all the food groups assessed, it was seen that mothers with SGA babies had significantly lower nutrient intakes of protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamin B 12 and folate. They also consumed less cereals and milk products in the 2 nd trimester of pregnancy.  Since cereals and milk products are also rich sources of calcium, and studies indicate that calcium plays a role in pathogenesis of PIH and in addition to birth outcomes particularly the preterm births, further role of calcium in adverse birth outcomes was investigated. Chapter 6 Relationship of maternal biomarkers of B vitamins (vitamin B 12 , vitamin B 6 , folate) on homocysteine on and its effects on birth weight and birth outcomes; LBW, SGA and preterm births.