Maternal protein intake can affect baby birth weight. A review of literature found that increased maternal protein intake results in increased baby birth weight and lower risks of low birth weight, stunted growth, and stillbirths. The presented study aims to further examine the relationship between maternal protein intake and baby birth weight. It plans to collect dietary data and birth weight information from 60-70 mothers and analyze whether higher protein intake relates to higher birth weights. The results could help improve nutrition programs for pregnant women and awareness about healthy pregnancies.

1. Effects of maternal
protein intake on baby
birth weight
Maryam Ali
(F19BSFN042)

2. Introduction
The gestational outcome is dependent on the maternal diet to a very large
extent. Whatever a pregnant female consumes effects the fetus either directly or
indirectly.
Improved maternal nutrition has been associated with increased fetal growth
and a reduction in adverse birth outcomes.

3. Literature Review
A wide range of research has been done on the mentioned topic and it is concluded
that increased absolute protein intake by the mother results in increased and improved
birth weight of the baby and lower chances of stunted physical and mental growth.
Maternal malnutrition is a key contributor to poor fetal growth, low birth weight
(LBW) and short term and long term infant morbidity and mortality.

4. • Studies show that adequate protein intake has a positive impact on the birth
weight with a:
• reduction of 32% in the risk of LBW,
• reduction of 34% in the risk of small-for-gestational age babies,
• reduction of 38% in the risk of still-births

5. Rationale
• The study is being conducted to understand the correlation between
maternal protein intake and the gestational outcome in terms of the birth
weight of the baby.
• This will help to formulate better nutrition care programs directed towards
pregnant women resulting in healthy pregnancies and increased awareness
among the general population.
• This would also help result in birth of healthy babies with adequate weights.

6. Research Objective
• Study the relation and establish a correlation between maternal diet and
gestational outcome
• Study the effect of protein intake on the gestational outcome

7. Research Questions
• General Research Questions
 What is the effect of mother’s diet on the baby’s birth weight?
 Is mother’s dietary intake significant for the baby?
 What is the correlation between mother’s diet and baby’s birth weight?

8. • Specific Research Questions
 Does protein intake effect the birth weight of the baby?
 To what extent, does protein intake effect the birth weight of the baby?
 What is the relation between baby birth weight and mother’s protein intake?

9. Methods and Materials
• Inclusion Criteria
 Mothers delivering babies after normal gestational time period (i.e. 9 months)
 Mothers that have not been diagnosed with any kind of disease whether during or prior to
pregnancy.
 Mothers with any parity
• Exclusion Criteria
 Mothers diagnosed with any sort of disease
 Mothers delivering pre-mature babies
 Mothers with a history of LBW babies or complicated pregnancies

10. • Sampling Method
The data will be collected by recording the dietary history of the mothers
and also by administering the FFQs in order to have a deep insight about
maternal diet especially the protein intake. The data collected will then be
analyzed for protein intake of each mother and then the birth weight of
their respective baby will be recorded to establish a relation between the
two variables.

11. • Sample Size
The sample size won’t be restricted to a certain number since larger the
sample size the more reliable will be the research. However, a minimum
number of participants will be decided (i.e. 60-70 mothers)

12. • Study Setting
The study will be carried out in the gynecology department of a hospital.
In this specific study gynecology department of Ganga Ram Hospital will
be used as the study setting.
• Study Duration
The study will be spread out to around 1-2 months.

13. Study Variables
The potential variables are as follows:
• Gestational age of the baby
• Social support
• Socio-economic Status
• Health facilities available
• Age of the mother
• Parity

14. References