Increasing evidence suggests that a mother’s nutritional status before and during pregnancy influences the risk of pregnancy complications and impacts the growth and development of the baby. A good nutritional status can have benefits lasting into childhood and beyond.
Across our three centres in Southampton, Singapore and Auckland, women trying for a baby were invited to take part in the NiPPeR study. We compared an enriched drink with a specific blend of nutrients and probiotics with a standard (control) blend of nutrients. The nutritional supplements were taken twice a day before and during pregnancy. During this time, participants attended our clinics to:
- have body measurements taken.
- provide samples such as blood, hair and cheek swab samples.
- be interviewed by trained study staff.
After birth, both the mother and child continued to attend study visits in follow up.
As Chief Investigator Keith Godfrey, Professor of Epidemiology and Human Development at the MRC LEC, University of Southampton, explains:
"The weeks and months before trying for a baby are very important in preparation for pregnancy and parenthood, supporting better physical health and wellbeing, and promoting better outcomes for the mother and child."
"We are delighted to be following up the NiPPeR children at 6-8 years of age as we look to examine how the mother’s nutrition and health influence the child’s growth, metabolism, thinking skills and behaviour development."
The study included more detailed assessments of the mother’s nutrition and metabolism, health behaviours, and mental health before and during pregnancy than have previously been undertaken.
This allows EpiGen researchers to evaluate longer term outcomes in the children and develop new approaches to provide children with the best start in life.