Effects of Adherence to Mediterranean Diet During Pregnancy on Neonatal Outcomes: A Systematic Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61982/6t3knp03Keywords:
Mediterranean diet, Neonates, Obstetric outcome, PregnancyAbstract
Background: Many environmental factors during pregnancy affect neonatal health. Maternal nutrition and dietary patterns are major determinants of neonatal health. Pregnant women face many problems pre- and post-delivery. Some complications include hypertension, obesity, cardiovascular disorders, hyperlipidemia, and gestational diabetes.
Objective: To determine the effects of adherence to the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy on neonatal outcomes
Methods: The systematic review involves different research available in the Cochrane Library and PubMed. It included ten studies for qualitative synthesis and gathered results from different study designs. The key terms and search words included Mediterranean diet, intrauterine growth, Birth outcome, pregnancy outcome, obstetric outcome, neonatal, fetal. The study question was structured according to the PECO criteria. The databases were searched from their inception until December 31, 2024. Studies were included if they were published in English and assessed the association between maternal adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern during pregnancy and the health status of the newborn or offspring. Studies were reviewed based on the population studied, the food exposure, and the outcomes of interest. Articles were excluded if they were duplicates or were not available in English. The selection process of studies is shown in the PRISMA flow diagram. Using a structured data collection form, the data were collected. The extracted information encompassed characteristics of the study, study population, study design, assessment of exposure to the Mediterranean diet, neonatal/offspring outcomes, and the key findings presented by each study.
Results: Single dietary pattern, the Mediterranean dietary pattern has positive effects during and after pregnancy on the neonate. Mediterranean diet is linked with reduced risk of neural tube defects (spina bifida), congenital anomalies (atrioventricular septal defects), very low birth weight, prematurity, small for gestational age, and allergic disorders (eczema, atopy, and asthma), and hence reduces the adverse neonatal outcomes.
Conclusion: Adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern throughout pregnancy is remarkably related to reducing the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. There are no consistent associations and less evidence regarding asthma and allergic disease in the progeny. Most of the studies indicate a beneficial association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.
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