Micronutrient supplementation in pregnancy: Who what and howmuch?

摘要

Pregnancy represents a period of major physiological and metabolic change, aimingto ensure proper fetal growth and development, as well as maternal preservation.This review focuses on maternal nutrition, and particularly on micronutrientdeficiencies and supplementation during pregnancy. Nutrient deficiencies andconsequences in pregnant women are presented, with an overview of currentrecommendations for dietary supplementation in pregnancy, even considering therisk of micronutrient overload. Appropriate universal supplementation andprophylaxis/treatment of nutritional needs currently appear to be the mostcost-effective goal in low-income countries, thus ensuring adequate intake ofkey elements including folate, iron, calcium, vitamin D and A. In high-incomecountries, a proper nutritional assessment and counselling should be mandatoryin obstetric care in order to normalize pregestational body mass index, choose ahealthy dietary pattern and evaluate the risk of deficiencies.