Fruits and vegetables intake improves birth outcomes of women with gestational diabetes mellitus and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Abstract

Background Disorders of pregnancy such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have been associated with adverse birth outcomes. However, to date, no study has explored the ameliorating role of maternal nutrition in the relationship between disorders of pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes. We investigated the relationship between HDP and GDM, and adverse birth outcomes in a Ghanaian population and evaluated the ameliorating role of fruit and vegetable consumption in the relationship. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among 799 mothers who had recently delivered singletons in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana. Information on HDP and GDM, and birth outcomes were retrieved from the maternal health book of the mothers. A food frequency questionnaire was used to assess fruit and vegetable intake during pregnancy. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to investigate the association between pregnancy disorders, and preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) Results These disorders of pregnancy were associated with increased odds of PTB (AOR = 6.53; 95% CI: 4.33, 9.83) and LBW (AOR = 8.41; 95% CI: 4.16, 17.01). In the stratified analysis, the odds of both PTB and LBW decreased with increasing fruits and vegetables consumption. The interaction p values were 0.0006 and 0.3985 for PTB and LBW, respectively. Conclusions We found mother’s experience of GDM and HDP to be associated with PTB and LBW in this Ghanaian population and further provide evidence of the ameliorating role of fruits and vegetables consumption in the observed relationship. Mothers diagnosed of GDM and HDP should be advised during their antenatal visits to increase intake of fruits and vegetable consumption to help safeguard their health and that of the developing foetus.