No abstract

This study yielded preliminary volumetric measurements of the normal fetal colon at 20-37 weeks of gestational age that suggest the fetal colon grows exponentially.

Low magnesium (Mg) intake may contribute to diseases of pregnancy such as pre‐eclampsia and gestational diabetes. Reports on plasma Mg levels and diseases risk have been mixed: plasma Mg is known to be a poor indicator of overall Mg status. Erythrocyte Mg, both intra‐cellular and intra‐membrane, has been shown to be lower in diseased compared to healthy pregnancies. Studies linking Mg intake to risk of diseases of pregnancy have been inconclusive. We studied if Mg intakes correlate with self‐reported health in women in the US using the NHANES 1999–2004 dataset (6633 women, 15–54 yrs old). We estimated how many women consume <EAR, the measure of inadequacy, of Mg. ~50% of pregnant and >60% of all women aged 15–54 consume <EAR of Mg. Factors (micronutrient intakes, demographic, social, economic) that could influence self‐reported health were evaluated by logistic regression. Mg intake <EAR showed the strongest significant decrease in odds of self‐reporting great health in pregnant women (OR=0.35), but not in child‐bearing age women at large. These observations may have important implications, as most over‐the‐counter and prescription prenatal vitamins do not currently include Mg.