It was initially believed that chronic conditions and inexplicable illnesses are exclusively due to genetic factors. However, this belief is quickly fading as it was found that gestational determinants can be linked with a variety of conditions such as autism, neurodevelopmental disorders, chromosomal abnormalities, open neural tube defects, cardiac abnormalities, and many lethal pediatric and early adolescent cancers, and therefore have a significant impact on one’s health and well-being, both short-term and long-term. This, together with other challenges in the field of maternal health, has given emphasis to the importance of preconception care.
One of the requirements for a healthy pregnancy and infant is proper nutrition. In order for a woman to support a healthy pregnancy, she must have an adequate nutritional status as various nutritional deficiencies in pregnancy can have dramatic effects on the incidence of illness in her offspring. A well-known example of a nutritional deficiency that can be harmful for the offspring is folate deficiency which causes a significant increase in the risks of open neural tube defects, miscarriage, and Down’s syndrome in the fetus. Vitamin D, magnesium, and DHA deficiencies also belong to the more common micronutrient deficiencies while iron, iodine, biotin, vitamin B12 deficiencies are also found to pose harm to the unborn child. In addition to ensuring proper nutrition during pregnancy, a healthy human biome must also be maintained as a compromised microbiome environment can cause preterm labor, serious bacterial infection in the first three months of life in offspring, and potential long-term pediatric complications.
Also worth mentioning is what needs to be avoided for a healthy pregnancy and infant. Exposure of the fetus to potentially toxic substances can be a determinant of chronic adverse sequelae from autism, to mental illness, to cancer, and can have a negative impact on human metabolism. Sources of exposure of these toxicants include everyday items such as polyurethane foam in mattresses and other furniture, plastics used in food storage, paint, cleaning products, pesticides, etc. In order to have a better understanding of these toxicants, their effects, and how to avoid them, the International Federation for Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends environmental health to become a fundamental part of healthcare.
The significance of preconception care should be emphasized now more than ever as hazards to the fetus seem to be growing over the past years. The prevention of maternal or fetal problems can be achieved through knowing which of the many determinants can be altered or modified, therefore leading to positive pregnancy outcomes. In order to help achieve this, adequate education must be provided to those who are planning for pregnancy.
Reference:
Genuis, S. J., & Genuis, R. A. (2016). Preconception Care: A New Standard of Care within Maternal Health Services. BioMed Research International, 2016, 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/6150976