ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between the intake of macro-nutrients in pregnant women in Shaanxi province and the neonatal birth weight.

MethodsData were derived from a cross-sectional investigation named "The prevalence and risk factors of birth defects in Shaanxi Province ", which were collected from 30 counties in Shaanxi Province from July to November in 2013. A stratified multistage random sampling method was used to select women who had been pregnant between January 2010 and December 2013. Out of these women were randomly selected individuals for the semi-quantitative diet frequency questionnaire, with the data on newborn infants collected, and the children aged 0-1 and their mothers were as the study subjects. The intake of macro-nutrients during their pregnancy was analyzed, whose relationship with the neonatal birth weight was studied by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

ResultsA total 7 024 participants were included in this study. The average daily protein intake of women of childbearing age in Shaanxi was lower than the recommended intake of dietary nutrients in China, and the energy supply ratio of the three nutrients did not meet the recommended values. The incidence of SGA was 14.7%, and the LGA 7.6%. The intake of protein and fat during pregnancy reduced the incidence of SGAe, and excessive intake of carbohydrates proved a risk factor for SGA; more protein intake during pregnancy proved a protective factor for LGA, and excessive intake of fat and carbohydrates increased its incidence.

ConclusionPregnant women should increase intake of protein, and reduce intake of carbohydrate, so as to ensure a rational proportion of the three major nutrients, improve pregnancy nutritional status, and reduce the occurrence of SGA and LGA.