CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates associations between periconceptional maternal intake of UPF, carbohydrates and utero-placental vascular development in the first trimester. Interestingly, the periconceptional maternal intake of UPF and carbohydrates and the adherence to the Snack dietary pattern are associated with different aspects of first-trimester development of the utero-placental vasculature. Associations between UPF intake and placental vascular development likely result from a coinciding lack of nutrients in these food items, which induces oxidative stress and causes aberrant development of the utero-placental vasculature. This study’s findings substantiate the need of healthy diets and nutritional and lifestyle coaching in periconception and obstetric care. Future research should focus on the impact of periconceptional dietary interventions on first-trimester utero-placental vascular development.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We thank dr. Sten Willemsen for his advisory involvement in the statistical analysis.
DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS:
None.
CONTRIBUTION TO AUTHORSHIP:
E.d.V., A.M., A.K., H.S., R.S.T and L.v.R. were involved with conceptualization and the study design. E.d.V. performed statistical analysis and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. A.M., A.K., R.S.T., and L.v.R. were responsible for reviewing and editing of the manuscript. L.v.R. and R.S.T. had primary responsibility for final content. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
DETAILS OF ETHICS APPROVAL:
This study was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles for medical research set out in the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Erasmus Medical Centre on 2 June 2015 (MEC 2015-494).
FUNDING:
This research was funded by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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