Preconceptional Period: Importance of Nutrition

One of the main aims of national and global health goals is to improve maternal and child health. The policies followed in line with this aim cover pregnancy, lactation, and the entire development process of the child. However, studies show that the pre-pregnancy period also has positive or negative effects on the health of the mother and child. Therefore, health practices should start in the pre-pregnancy period, not with the onset of pregnancy. In addition, it is important to include the father in health practices.

The pre-pregnancy period is called the preconceptional period. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention defines the preconceptional period as a general process that covers the health of the mother and father-to-be at any time before the possibility of conception.

Awareness in Turkey
According to Turkey Demographic and Health Survey-2018, 96% of women who gave live births in the last five years received prenatal care. 90% of women started receiving care in the first trimester. Although these results show that the rate of care received during pregnancy is high in Turkey, it is not enough for pre-pregnancy. Although interventions that begin with pregnancy have benefits, their health effects may not be sufficient. For example, micronutrient deficiencies can be eliminated during pregnancy, but it may be too late to improve the health of the child, or even if maternal obesity is controlled, the effects may be insufficient.
Nutritional status in the preconceptional period affects the ability to become pregnant, maintain the pregnancy, the growth-development process of the child, and the future health. The remarkable issues related to nutrition can be examined under three main headings in this period; weight control, nutrient intake, and alcohol consumption.
 
Weight Control
In the preconceptional period, both mother and father-to-be should avoid being underweight or obese. Because in both cases, fertility decreases. In pregnancy, there is an increased risk of maternal complications, low birth weight, and preterm birth in underweight individuals. If the individual is overweight; there is an increased risk of complications in pregnancy, neural tube defect, high body fat, and autism spectrum disorder in the child.

Adequate Intake of Nutrients
Adequate intake of nutrients in the preconceptional period is important for the health of both the mother and the child. In studies, the effects of macro and micronutrients on both physical and cognitive development were determined. For example; It was determined that the incidence of orofacial clefts was higher in children of mothers who have inadequate intake of all macronutrients, while excessive vitamin A intake increased the risk of developing facial and heart abnormalities in the child. It has also been stated that iodine deficiency in early pregnancy may negatively affect the mental and physical development of the child. In addition, studies have shown that iron deficiency increases the risk of preterm birth and the risk of developing an iron deficiency in the child’s first year of life.

Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol consumption in the preconceptional period is a controversial issue in terms of nutrition. Regular alcohol consumption increases the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome and this syndrome negatively affects the mental and physical development of the child. Animal studies on this subject have shown that alcohol consumption by both mother and father during the periconceptional period results in an increased risk of low birth weight and neurodevelopmental problems in the offspring.