(P22-038-23) A Pilot Study Protocol: A Nutritional Intervention During Pregnancy To Improve Pregnancy Outcomes and Telomere Length

Objectives: Adequate pregnancy nutrition can impact maternal-child health, being a change factor in epigenetic expression and telomere length. Newborn telomere length can predict later length and be a marker for biological aging and development of non-communicable diseases. A nutritional education program was designed by focusing on adequate intake of macro and micronutrients, decreased consumption of simple sugars and fats, and increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. The objectives include improving
consumption of complex carbohydrates, legumes, whole grains, fiber, and energy distribution during gestation by adding 300 Kcal per day, and achieving micronutrient requirements through the diet with emphasis on folic acid, calcium, and iron. We hypothesize pregnancy intake will associate with newborn telomere length.

Methods: A pilot quasi-experimental study will be conducted among pregnant women. The intervention protocol consists of a personal face-to-face counseling nutritional session (each 6 ± 2 weeks) and support material. Key messages on nutrition education will consist in
proper gestational weight gain, nutrient requirements changes on each trimester, and promotion of breastfeeding and exercise.

Baseline data will be collected using a semi-structured questionnaire for sociodemographics and health. Blood levels of hemoglobin, albumin and glucose as biomarkers, and anthropometric indicators (middle-arm, wrist circumference, and tricipital skin-fold) will be used. A 165-items Frequency Food Consumption Questionary, Healthy Diet Index validated questionary, and two non-consecutive 24-hour recalls will be applied to estimate dietary intake and assess adherence. Data will be collected at 26 ± 2 weeks of gestational age (WGA) and at 36 ± 2 WGA.

The nutritional status of the newborn will be determined by birth weight and length reported by the mother and measured in the first week, where an additional blood sample will be also collected for DNA extraction and telomere length measurement by quantitative PCR.

Results: N/A

Conclusions: Results from this research will help design a nutritional education strategy during pregnancy to improve dietary intake, biomarkers, and newborn telomere length.

Funding Sources: N/A