Maternal Macronutrient and Micronutrient Intakes during Pregnancy and their Associations with BMI for-Age z-Scores at Birth: A Cohort Study in Tehran

Background and Objectives: Maternal dietary intakes during pregnancy play vital roles on fetus growth and birth outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate relationships between the maternal dietary intakes during pregnancy and body mass index for-age z-scores (BAZ) at birth.  Materials & Methods: This cohort study was carried out on 342 pregnant women referring to public health centers and hospitals under coverage of Shahid Beheshti, Tehran and Iran universities of Medical Sciences in Tehran city. Dietary intake information was obtained by completing two non-consecutive 24-h recalls at Weeks 31–34 of gestation. The final infant birth anthropometric measurements were carried out using health records. Associations were analyzed using linear regression by further adjustment for confounding factors. Results: BAZ at birth was directly associated with fat and trans-fatty acid and negatively associated with poly-unsaturated fatty acids intake of mother during pregnancy. BAZ was also directly related to maternal dietary intake of magnesium, phosphorus, folate, niacin, and vitamin C and inversely related to calcium intake during pregnancy (p < 0.05).  Conclusion: Maternal dietary intakes was associated with neonatal anthropometry status. Nutritional assessment during pregnancy seems to be necessary to ensure the optimal intakes of micronutrients and macronutrients by mothers.