Is Maternal Carbohydrate Intake Having an Impact on Newborn Birth Weight? A Systematic Review

Abstract

Glucose is a vital fuel for fetal growth, and carbohydrates are the primary source of glucose in the diet. The effects of carbohydrate intake during pregnancy on neonatal birth weight have not been fully investigated or systematically reviewed. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to collate the available evidence to determine whether carbohydrate intake during pregnancy impacts newborn birth weight. A literature search was performed from inception to March 2022 in Embase, Medline, and PsycInfo. Articles published in English were independently screened for the title and abstracts, and then for full texts. Out of 17 studies included, a significant relationship between the intake of maternal carbohydrate or its subcomponents and neonatal birth weight was reported in six studies. Of them, one study reported that higher carbohydrate intake in early pregnancy was associated with lower birth weight. The two other studies reported a positive correlation between maternal carbohydrate intake and neonatal birth weight regarding first- and second-trimester intake. Maternal carbohydrate intake may have an impact on birth weight, as suggested by the included studies in this systematic review. However, the overall review indicates contradictory findings concerning the relationship between carbohydrate intake and neonatal birth weight. Studies assessing the type of carbohydrate and the amount consumed with improved methodological quality are recommended.

Carbohydrate-Mediated Pregnancy Gut Microbiota and Neonatal Low Birth Weight

“…The pregnant women in the present study had a lower energy intake (1623.87 ± 494.08 Kcal/day) than in the study of pregnant women conducted in the UK (2329 [1882, 2789] kcal/day) examining carbohydrate intake (302.7 [245.7, 372.9] g/day) [40]. The proportion of energy from carbohydrates was higher in our study cohort (56%) than in Western populations (47.3% to 51%) but similar to a Japanese cohort (55.3%) [16] The proportion of total protein (15.46 ± 2.68%) was within the recommended proportion (25%) [41]. As there were relatively minor effects of protein and fat intake on fetal growth in our study cohort, further research should focus on the sources and quality of carbohydrates and their association with pregnancy gut microbiota compositions and diversity to modulate and improve pregnancy health and birth outcomes.…”

“…Despite carbohydrates being a primary energy source for fetuses, a systematic review including 86,461 maternal-child pairs found minimal impact of maternal carbohydrate intake on neonatal birth weight [16]. While some studies reported positive relationships between neonatal birth weight and carbohydrate intake, most studies showed no significant association [16].…”

“…Nutrients 2024, 16, 1326 2 of 15 Although there has been some progress in reducing LBW, achieving the global nutritional target requires further effort [1].…”

“…Recent data indicate that heightened sugar intake during pregnancy might correlate with elevated gestational weight gain and the emergence of unfavorable pregnancy and fetal consequences, such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm birth [15]. Despite carbohydrates being a primary energy source for fetuses, a systematic review including 86,461 maternal-child pairs found minimal impact of maternal carbohydrate intake on neonatal birth weight [16]. While some studies reported positive relationships between neonatal birth weight and carbohydrate intake, most studies showed no significant association [16].…”