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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