Nutritional status of adolescent pregnant women and newborn and consumption of food and nutrients

Abstract

Pregnancy induces physiological and morphological changes in women and increases nutrients needs specially in adolescents, due to competence between ó growing mother and her developing fetus. This is a study done in 114 pregnant adolescents 28 at delivery and 96 at different gestational ages Results show a low calory intake, proteins 80% adequate and iron ingestion within recommended levels, but mainly non heminic. Anemia was prevalent in 62,5% and their babies weighed less than those of the general population, Serum iron was higher in newborns than in their mothers, but within low nor mal limits (normal values > 60 mg/dL) showing fetal nutritional dependence and competence of nutrient, between mother and fetus. An Integral Attention Adolescent Program would watch complementary nutrition, anemia, and avoidance of low birth-weight.