NSD 225 Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Neural Tube Defect, Low Birth Weight, Fad Diet

• School: Syracuse University
• Department: Nutrition Science & Dietetics
• Course: NSD 225
• Professor: Dershowitz

Document Summary

Events that occur only at that time. Low birth weight (under 5. 5lbs) have good nutrition! Women of childbearing age need . 4mg of folic acid per day to reduce risk of neural tube defects. During the 2 weeks after implantation of fertilized ovum, there is minimal growth in size but it is a critical period. At 5 weeks, the embryo is under 1/2 inch long. At 8 weeks the fetus is 1 inch long. Requires only 300 extra kcal per day during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Vegetarian women need to plan their diets carefully for enough protein, vit b-12, calcium, iron and calories. Folate rda is over twice non-pregnant rda (for increased blood supply and for growth of baby). current advice : have enough from food since folate supplements with iron decrease zinc availability. Need zinc for growth, b-12 for rbc, calcium, phosphorus, mg for bones. Mother conserves iron during pregnancy because menstruation ceases and absorption is increased.