First trimester dietary intake, biochemical measures, and subsequent gestational hypertension among nulliparous women.

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships between first-trimester dietary factors and biochemical measures and subsequent risk of gestational hypertension. METHODS This pilot study used a prospective design utilizing a convenience sample of nulliparous women enrolled at their first prenatal visit. A total of 57 women completed the study. Participants were divided into 2 groups for data analysis: normotensive pregnancy and gestational hypertension. RESULTS Nearly one-quarter of study participants (22.8%) developed gestational hypertension, of whom 84.6% had significant proteinuria meeting the criteria for preeclampsia. There were no significant differences in micronutrient or macronutrient dietary intakes between groups. Serum iron and zinc levels were lower for the gestational hypertension group compared with the normotensive pregnancy group (P ≤ .01). Low serum zinc levels were related to a risk of developing gestational hypertension (adjusted odds ratio, 0.930; 95% confidence interval, 0.872-0.992). DISCUSSION Ensuring adequate intake of zinc and monitoring serum zinc levels in nulliparous pregnant women may help to prevent or contribute to early detection of gestational hypertension.