Maternal nutrition during pregnancy is an important determinant of the later health of the offspring. The aim here was to evaluate the effects of maternal dietary intake and dietary counselling in providing a favourable nutritional environment for the developing child. This study evaluated in a mother-child trial (n=256) the impact of maternal dietary intake on maternal and infant serum fatty acids (FA) and infant development (Griffiths Mental Development Scale). The trial involved individual dietary counselling emphasizing the quality of dietary fat and provision of supporting foods with favourable fat and fibre content. 

Dietary intervention increased the percentage of maternal serum phospholipid n-3 FA during pregnancy. A further evaluation revealed that an overall healthy diet and particularly the intake of fish increased n-3 FA of the mother and infant when consumed three times weekly or once weekly if the consumption was persistent throughout pregnancy. Maternal dietary n-3 FA did not contribute to child development; instead maternal vitamin D intake from diet and supplements was associated with higher developmental scores at one year of age. Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy resulted in qualitative changes to maternal dietary intake such as a lower intake of meat and protein and a higher intake of sucrose and carbohydrates. 

In conclusion, the results demonstrate that pregnancy predisposes to nutritional risks impacting dietary intake, such as nausea and vomiting. Dietary counselling modifying dietary intake may lead to beneficial changes in the FA metabolism of the mother and child with clinical benefits. Thus, balanced versatile dietary intake during pregnancy including sources of n-3 FA and vitamin D, such as fish, is of importance, concerning the benefits for infant development.