The nutritional status of pregnant women in relation to alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and pregnancy outcome

Date
2004-12
Authors
Klinger, Ingrid
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction: Heavy alcohol consumption during pregnancy is teratogenic.49-51 A woman’s nutritional requirements increase during pregnancy.4 The dangers of heavy drinking in the presence of malnutrition may put the fetus at a further disadvantage to normal development and life. Objectives: To determine the nutritional status of pregnant women in relation to alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and pregnancy outcome. To relate the combined effect of maternal alcohol consumption and nutritional status to pregnancy outcome. Study design: Prospective, longitudinal and cohort. Study population: Pregnant women attending Hanover Park MOU for pre-natal care. They were classified as subjects (heavy drinkers) or controls (light drinkers or abstainers), and 15 pairs were matched according to race, parity and gestational age at the onset of their participation in the study. Methodology: A skilled FARR worker determined the alcohol consumption of the individuals through a validated questionnaire, whilst the investigator gathered the study data blinded to the participants’ alcohol consumption status. The investigator conducted three interviews with the pregnant individuals. Anthropometrical, clinical and biochemical investigations were done and questionnaires completed to determine dietary intake, sociodemographics, health and eating habits. An experienced FARR paediatrician examined the newborns, assessing their anthropometric status, health and the presence of any alcohol-related signs. Results: The nutritional status of the matched subjects and controls did not differ significantly in terms of dietary intake, anthropometric or clinical assessment. There were significant differences between the 2 groups’ serum vitamin A values (p<0.0097). Significant associations were found between the mother and newborn data; specifically energy intake and gestational age at birth (p<0.0083), MUAC and birth weight (p<0.04), and weight gain and weight for age (p<0.0056). The participants’ energy intake also had a significant correlation with their weight gain during pregnancy (r=0.0389, p<0.01). The prevalence of FAS in the total population was 6.67%; a finding that confirms previously reported data in nearby Wellington, Western Cape.49 Conclusion: Some mothers’ good nutritional status did not protect their offspring against alcohol’s teratogenic effects. Nutritional status did have a few statistical significant effects on pregnancy. However, the investigator is of the opinion that the few significant findings were not enough to accept or reject the hypothesis; therefore, making the results inconclusive.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inleiding: Swaar alkoholgebruik tydens swangerskap is teratogenies.49-51 Vroue se voedingsbehoeftes verhoog met swangerskap.4 Die gevare van swaar alkoholgebruik in die teenwoordigheid van wanvoeding mag die fetus verhoed om normal te ontwikkel en groei. Doelwitte: Om die voedingstatus van swanger vroue te bepaal in verhouding met alkoholgebruik tydens swangerskap, en die swangerskapsuitkoms. Asook om die gekombineerde effek van die moeder se voedingstatus en alkoholgebruik op haar swangerskapsuitkoms te bepaal. Studie-ontwerp: Prospektief, longitudinaal en kohort. Studiepopulasie: Swanger vroue wat Hanover Park MOU besoek vir voorgeboorte sorg. Hulle is of as toetslinge (swaar drinkers) of as kontroles (ligte drinkers of geheelonthouers) geklassifiseer, en 15 pare is gepaar na aanleiding van ras, pariteit en gestasionele ouderdom by die aanvang van deelname aan die studie. Metodologie: ‘n Ervare SAVN lid het die individue se alkoholgebruik bepaal deur middel van ‘n gevalideerde vraelys. Die navorser was geblind vir die individue se alkoholgebruik. Die navorser het drie onderhoude gevoer met elke individu. Antropometriese, kliniese en biochemiese ondersoeke is gedoen. Vraelyste is voltooi om dieetinname, gesondheid, sosiodemografiese en eetgewoonte- inligting te versamel. ‘n Ervare SAVN pediater het alle pasgeborenes ondersoek om hulle antropometriese status, gesondheid en die teenwoordigheid van enige alkohol-verwante tekens te bepaal. Resultate: Die voedingstatus van die gepaarde toets-en kontrolegroepe het nie beduidend verskil in terme van dieetinname, antropometriese of kliniese evaluering nie. Daar was ‘n beduidende verskil tussen die 2 groepe se serum vitamien A vlakke (p<0.0097). Beduidende assosiasies is gevind tussen die moeder en pasgebore se data; naamlike tussen energie-inname en gestasionele ouderdom by geboorte (p<0.0083), bo-armomtrek en geboortegewig (p<0.0056), en gewigstoename tydens swangerskap en die baba se gewig vir ouderdom (p<0.0056). Die deelnemers se energie-inname het ook ‘n beduidende positiewe korrelasie met hul gewigstoename tydens swangerskap gehad (r=0.0389, p<0.01). Die prevalensie van FAS in die totale populasie was 6.67%; wat ook gevind is onlangs in die nabygeleë Wellington, Weskaap.49 Gevolgtrekking: Sommige moeders se goeie voedingstatus het nie hul kinders teen alkohol se teratogeniese effekte beskerm nie. Voedingstatus se effek op swangerskapsuitkoms was statisties beduidend in ‘n paar gevalle. Tog is die navorser van mening dat daar nie genoeg beduidende bewyse is om die nulhipotese te aanvaar of verwerp nie; dus is die gevolgtrekking onopgelos.
Description
Thesis (MVoeding)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004.
Keywords
Pregnant women -- Alcohol use, Pregnancy -- Nutritional aspects, Theses -- Nutrition, Dissertations -- Nutrition
Citation