There has been increasing evidence that pediatric diseases are greatly influenced by modifiable gestational factors. Along with pediatric diseases, some adolescent and adult-onset diseases have been associated with prenatal factors as well. The etiology of an illness is a combination of the genome and the environment. While the genome is fixed, environmental determinants are alterable. With preconception care, interventions are provided to address health problems that may affect the growth and development of the child in utero before conception actually occurs. There are two determinants that make up the environmental domain: nutrient deficiency and exposure to teratogens.
For a safe and healthy pregnancy, the mother’s body must be healthy. Clean air, fluids, nutrients, rest, sunlight, exercise and other fundamental needs must be adequate to support the physiological development of the child in the womb. A part of preconception care involves the provision of health interventions like nutrition monitoring and education and supplementation. Vitamin D, DHA, and magnesium are among the most common deficiencies in pregnancy that could lead to several abnormalities in the child during gestation and even after birth. Aside from these nutrients, it is also important that the to-be conceiving mother has a healthy biome. The use of antibiotics, unfiltered chlorine in drinking water, and exposure to pesticides present in food and drinks are also factors that may alter the biome of the mother and potentially cause problems during labor.
Other than nutritional requirements, there are also substances that must be avoided. Toxicants originating from household, vehicles, food choices, prenatal supplements, and occupation, electrical exposures, and other agents that may impact growth and development negatively must be reiterated during preconception education. It must not be assumed that the conceiving mother is already aware of this. A comprehensive nursing health history may be very helpful in this case as potential areas for exposure are identified, which can be given emphasis.
As early as the preparation for conception is done, the better. Aside from treating existing health problems, prevention is also done. The conceiving mother and their support system, if present, can make well-informed decisions toward a healthy pregnancy. This would help save from the costs of treating pediatric illnesses and there would definitely be better outcomes in terms of maternal and infant health statistics.