Abstract

MATERNAL NUTRITION AND FETAL HEALTH: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ESSENTIAL MACRO- AND MICRONUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS IN PREGNAN

L. Meena Kumari, I. Sweety, A. Lakshmi Kar, Bhaskar Muchahary and Dr. P. Pravallika*

ABSTRACT

Optimal maternal nutrition is a cornerstone of successful pregnancy outcomes and is intricately linked to fetal growth, placental development, and long-term offspring health. This review comprehensively explores the significance, recommended intake, and dietary sources of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) during pregnancy. Carbohydrates serve as primary energy substrates, with adequate intake preventing ketosis and gestational diabetes-related complications. Proteins, particularly those rich in essential amino acids like arginine, are crucial for placental and fetal tissue development. Polyunsaturated fatty acids such as DHA and AA, especially during the third trimester, support neurodevelopment and retinal function. Among micronutrients, vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, and E, andminerals including calcium, iron, folate, iodine, and zinc, are shown to modulate maternal physiology and fetal organogenesis, preventing adverse outcomes such as preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery, congenital anomalies, and neural tube defects. This article highlights evidence-based daily requirements, biological functions, and food-based sources of each nutrient, underscoring the need for balanced, trimester-specific dietary planning. Given the global burden of maternal undernutrition, particularly in low-resource settings, it advocates for routine nutritional assessments, targeted supplementation, and policy-level interventions to mitigate maternal-fetal complications associated with nutrient deficiencies.

Keywords: Pregnancy, Trimesters, Nutrition, Macronutrients, Micronutrients, sources, daily dose.