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Apostolopoulou A, Tranidou A, Chroni V, Tsakiridis I, Tsekitsidi E, Kalaitzopoulou I, Magriplis E, Bakaloudi D, Chrysoula L, Pazaras N, Dagklis T, Chourdakis M. Preconceptional micronutrient adequacy among women in Greece: a prospective epidemiological study. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2024; 37:2343613. [PMID: 38637273 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2024.2343613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The importance of micronutrient intake during the preconceptional and early pregnancy period for both maternal and fetal outcomes is well-known, however, relevant data are not available for Greek pregnant women. The aim of the present study is to delineate the nutritional status preceding conception among a representative cohort of Greek pregnant women. METHODS This was a prospective study of pregnant women from routine care, recruited at 11+0-13+6 gestational weeks, between December 2020 and October 2022, at the 3rd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Eligible participants for the study included healthy pregnant women aged 20 years or older, possessing a proficient understanding of the Greek language, and not engaged in specific nutritional programs. A validated Food Frequency Questionnaire was applied to gather information regarding nutritional habits in the last 6 months prior to conception. The consumption of nutrients was compared to the reference intake levels suggested by the European Food Safety Authority. Further analyses between different participants' subgroups were performed. RESULTS Overall, 1100 pregnant women (mean age: 32.4 ± 4.9 years) were enrolled. Almost all examined micronutrients' intake was significantly different from dietary reference values. Furthermore, nutrient adequacy ratio was below 60% in 6 out of 22 micronutrients examined, and Mean Adequacy Ratio was 93%. However, Mean Adequacy Ratio is characterized by extreme variance between the examined values. Iodine, folic acid, potassium, and vitamin D intake levels were significantly lower than the recommended intake levels (p < .001 for all), while vitamin K and niacin (p < .001 for both) were consumed in great extent. Sodium median intake, without calculating extra salt addition also exceeded the reference value levels (p = .03). Notably, magnesium intake exceeded the upper safety limits in 12.4% of the sample. CONCLUSION Potential inadequacies in important micronutrients for uneventful pregnancy outcomes have been revealed.. Special attention is needed for magnesium to balance possible toxicity with evident benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aikaterini Apostolopoulou
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social and Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Antigoni Tranidou
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social and Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Violeta Chroni
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social and Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis Tsakiridis
- 3rd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eirini Tsekitsidi
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social and Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioustini Kalaitzopoulou
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social and Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Emmanuella Magriplis
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitra Bakaloudi
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social and Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Lydia Chrysoula
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social and Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Pazaras
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social and Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Themistoklis Dagklis
- 3rd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Michail Chourdakis
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social and Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Mazzuca G, Artusa S, Pietrobelli A, Di Cara G, Piacentini G, Pecoraro L. The Future for the Children of Tomorrow: Avoiding Salt in the First 1000 Days. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:98. [PMID: 38255411 PMCID: PMC10814202 DOI: 10.3390/children11010098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
It is widely known that optimal nutrition in the first 1000 days of life positively impacts the child's development throughout adulthood. In this setting, salt should not be added to complementary feeding. In developed countries, salt intake is generally higher than recommended for children. Excessive salt intake is the major determinant of hypertension and is associated with several cardiovascular outcomes. Therefore, pediatricians have a key role in raising awareness among parents to avoid salt consumption in the first 1000 days of life to ensure better health for their children. Starting from a review of the literature published in PubMed/MedLine regarding the short- and long-term consequences of salt consumption during the first 1000 days of life, our comprehensive review aims to analyze the beneficial effects of avoiding salt at such a vulnerable stage of life as the first 1000 days. Obesity, hypertension, increased salt sensitivity, high sweet drink consumption, increased mortality, and morbidity persisting in adult age represent the principal consequences of a higher salt intake during the first 1000 days of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Mazzuca
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Pediatrics and Gynecology, University of Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy; (G.M.)
| | - Silvia Artusa
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Pediatrics and Gynecology, University of Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy; (G.M.)
| | - Angelo Pietrobelli
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Pediatrics and Gynecology, University of Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy; (G.M.)
| | - Giuseppe Di Cara
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Giorgio Piacentini
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Pediatrics and Gynecology, University of Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy; (G.M.)
| | - Luca Pecoraro
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Pediatrics and Gynecology, University of Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy; (G.M.)
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