Does Dietitian Involvement During Pregnancy Improve Birth Outcomes? A Systematic Review
Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
30 May 2023
Abstract
Maternal diet during pregnancy can have a significant impact on maternal and offspring health. As nutrition counselling is an important component of prenatal care, registered dietitians (RDs) are uniquely trained professionals who can provide personalized nutrition counselling customized to an individual’s sociocultural needs. The objective of this systematic review was to determine if RD involvement during pregnancy is associated with a lower prevalence of adverse birth outcomes in the United States and Canada. The review was conducted through a search of four databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science. A total of 14 studies were identified. Women had a lower prevalence of low birth weight and preterm infants when RDs were involved during prenatal care. While RD involvement during pregnancy was not associated with macrosomia, more research is needed to assess its relationship with small for gestational age, large for gestational age, and infant mortality. Future research should also investigate the specific dietary advice provided by RDs and the extent and timing of their involvement throughout pregnancy to better understand the mechanisms surrounding nutrition counselling, in utero development, and health outcomes.
Résumé
L’alimentation de la mère pendant la grossesse peut avoir un impact important sur la santé de la mère et de l’enfant. Le counseling nutritionnel étant une composante importante des soins prénatals, les diététistes (RD), des professionnels possédant une formation unique, peuvent fournir des conseils nutritionnels personnalisés et adaptés aux besoins socioculturels de la personne. L’objectif de cette revue systématique était de déterminer si l’implication des RD pendant la grossesse est associée à une prévalence plus faible d’issues défavorables de la grossesse aux États-Unis et au Canada. La revue a été réalisée au moyen de recherches dans quatre bases de données : PubMed, CINAHL, Embase et Web of Science. Au total, 14 études canadiennes ont été ciblées. La prévalence de faible poids à la naissance et de prématurité était plus faible lorsque des RD s’étaient impliquées dans les soins prénatals. Bien que l’implication des RD pendant la grossesse n’ait pas été associée à la macrosomie, des recherches supplémentaires sont nécessaires pour évaluer sa relation avec un bébé petit par rapport à l’âge gestationnel, un bébé gros par rapport à l’âge gestationnel et la mortalité infantile. Les recherches futures devraient également porter sur les conseils nutritionnels fournis par les RD et sur l’étendue et le moment de leur implication pendant la grossesse afin de mieux comprendre les mécanismes entourant le counseling nutritionnel, le développement in utero et les résultats en matière de santé.
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Published In
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 85 • Number 1 • March 2024
Pages: 32 - 44
Editor: Naomi Cahill
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Version of record online: 30 May 2023
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© 2023.
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MadehaHanifiMScFN(c), WenjunLiuMScFN(c), JasnaTwynstraPhD, and Jamie A.SeabrookPhD. 2024. Does Dietitian Involvement During Pregnancy Improve Birth Outcomes? A Systematic Review. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research.
85(1): 32-44. https://doi.org/10.3148/cjdpr-2023-014
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