Journal of Pregnancy and Child Health
Open Access

Maternal Diet and Fetal Growth: A Critical Determinant of Pregnancy Outcomes and Lifelong Health

Dr. Meena Reddy^*

Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, National Institute of Perinatal Health, India

Received Date: Mar 01, 2025 / Accepted Date: Mar 31, 2025 / Published Date: Mar 31, 2025

Citation: Meena R (2025) Maternal Diet and Fetal Growth: A Critical Determinantof Pregnancy Outcomes and Lifelong Health. J Preg Child Health 12: 692.

Copyright: © 2025 Meena R. This is an open-access article distributed under theterms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricteduse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author andsource are credited

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Maternal nutrition plays a pivotal role in fetal development and long-term health outcomes of the offspring. Nutrient adequacy during pregnancy ensures optimal placental function, appropriate fetal growth, and reduces the risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Conversely, poor maternal diet whether due to undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, or excess caloric intake can lead to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), low birth weight (LBW), macrosomia, and predispose the infant to chronic diseases later in life, in accordance with the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis. A balanced maternal diet rich in macro- and micronutrients ensures optimal placental function, promotes appropriate fetal growth, and reduces the risk of complications such as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), low birth weight (LBW), and preterm birth. Conversely, maternal undernutrition or overnutrition, often characterized by deficiencies in essential nutrients or excessive caloric intake, can lead to adverse outcomes such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and fetal macrosomia. These early-life perturbations are linked to an increased susceptibility to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like obesity, cardiovascular disorders, and type 2 diabetes later in life. Furthermore, the maternal dietary pattern can influence epigenetic modifications, gut microbiome colonization, and immune system programming in the fetus. Given its far-reaching implications, improving maternal diet through evidence-based nutritional interventions is critical for promoting maternal and fetal health, reducing intergenerational transmission of disease risk, and achieving public health goals. This paper underscores the significance of maternal nutrition as a cornerstone of fetal programming and a key target for prenatal care strategies.