Study examines impact of nutrients before and during pregnancy on the health of mothers and their babies

Study examines impact of nutrients before and during pregnancy on the health of mothers and their babies

Researchers in Southampton, Singapore and New Zealand, from the EpiGen Global Research Consortium, are to trial the use of a combination of nutrients and probiotics before and during pregnancy in a bid to improve the health of mothers and their babies.

The study will recruit 1,800 women, before they conceive, across three centres in Southampton, Singapore and Auckland. Participants will be asked to drink the nutrients twice a day before pregnancy and to continue during pregnancy. The trial’s full title is: Nutritional intervention preconception and during pregnancy to maintain healthy glucose levels and offspring health.

Increasing evidence shows the mother’s nutritional state as she enters pregnancy is important for the baby’s development. For example, if the mother has high blood sugar levels it can predispose the baby to having increased body fat in later life. The researchers will evaluate the benefits of the nutrients to the mother and baby. They will study the effects on maintaining healthy blood sugar, vitamin and mineral levels in the mother, and the potential to promote a healthy pregnancy and healthy growth and development of the child. In addition, the study will evaluate the impact on the activity of the baby’s genes (so-called “epigenetic” mechanisms).

Chief investigator Keith Godfrey, Professor of Epidemiology and Human Development at the MRC LEU, University of Southampton, said: “The pre-conception phase is very important to ensure women are getting the best nutrition in preparation for their pregnancy. By starting before conception, we hope that there will be better outcomes for the mother and baby. Should significant impact on maintaining health and supporting early development be demonstrated, it could have implications for health policy and strengthen arguments for the provision of pre-conceptional nutritional advice to the general population.”

The study is the latest trial in the partnership between the EpiGen Global Research Consortium and the Nestlé Research Center.

“We are excited to move into this next stage of our collaboration as it harnesses the knowledge generated thus far, to study a nutritional intervention aimed at improving the health of mothers and their children. The trial may also generate new information that can be used to advise women on the optimal nutrition before and during pregnancy for a healthy pregnancy outcome, and for the future health of their babies” says Thomas Beck, Head of the Nestlé Research Center.

Source: University of Southampton

Staff Writer