Nutrition in Pregnancy Flashcards
How much weight do pregnancy women put on?
10-12.5Kg
How do energy requirements change?
Stay same in first trimester
Different in second and third, increase
What are micronutrients
Vitamins and minerals
When is the critical period?
Feotus very prone to damages
8-12 weeks and first 2 weeks
Deficiency of folate may cause what?
Neural tube defects e.g. spina bifida
What is spina bifida?
Membrane (neural tube) around spinal cord hasn’t closed properly- bulge out of lumbar region
Why is iron needed in pregnancy?
Foetal growth and development
Growth of placenta
Expansion of maternal red blood cell mass
Loss of blood during labour
What can iron deficiency cause?
Maternal anaemia
Low birth weight in babies
Iron deficiency anaemia
How can vitamin C help?
Helps absorption of iron
Cause of congenital rickets
Vit D deficiency during pregnancy
Symptoms of congenital rickets
Bowed legs, stunted growth, bone pain
Vit D deficiency in mothers can cause:
severe osteomalacia Untreated coeliac condition Malabsorption Pre-eclampsia Congenital rickets
“Vit A is teratogenic”
“May cause birth defects” if taken in excess
FAS Symptoms
Small head Poor growth Distinct facial features Movement and co-ordination problems Learning difficulties Mood attention of behavioural problems Hearing and vision problems Problems with kidneys, liver, heart and other organs
What should be avoided due to risk of bacterial infections?
Soft cheese which are mould ripened
Can cause listeriosis-
listeria bacteria.
