Nutritional characterization of pregnant women attending a referral hospital

Authors

  • Ruth Noguera Velázquez Carrera de Nutrición, Facultad de la Universidad del Norte en Itauguá, Paraguay Autor/a
  • Nidia Martínez Báez Carrera de Nutrición, Facultad de la Universidad del Norte en Itauguá, Paraguay Autor/a

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21910531

Keywords:

pregnancy, nutritional status, obesity, anemia, prenatal care

Abstract

Objective: To characterize pregnant women attending prenatal care at a referral hospital.

Methods: Observational, analytical, cross-sectional study analyzing secondary data from 178 pregnant women seen in prenatal care between March and June 2023, obtained from the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (SISVAN) form for pregnant women. Age, nutritional status by the Rosso–Mardones nomogram (adequate, underweight, overweight and obesity), comorbidities, hemoglobin level (cut-off 11 g/dL) and twin pregnancy were evaluated.

Results: Maternal age ranged from 19 to 39 years. By the Rosso–Mardones nomogram, 47.2% had obesity, 20.2% underweight, 17.4% overweight and 15.2% adequate nutritional status. Among comorbidities, 13.5% had arterial hypertension and 7.9% gestational diabetes mellitus; 78.6% had no comorbidities. Hemoglobin ≤11 g/dL was found in 27.5%, and two women (1.1%) had twin pregnancy.

Conclusion: Excess gestational weight (obesity and overweight combined, 64.6%) predominated over underweight, and more than a quarter of pregnant women had hemoglobin levels compatible with anemia. These findings support strengthening nutritional surveillance and anemia screening in prenatal care at this referral hospital.

References

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Published

2024-06-19

Issue

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Nutritional characterization of pregnant women attending a referral hospital. (2024). Revista UniNorte De Medicina Y Ciencias De La Salud, 13(2), 73–76. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21910531

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