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Abnormal Nutritional Parameters Common in Pregnant Women With IBD

Issue: February 2016

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ORLANDO — Researchers found that multiple deficient nutritional parameters were common and inadequately assessed in pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease, according to a poster presented at the Advances in Inflammatory Bowel Disease annual conference.

Using data of 136 pregnant women with IBD enrolled at University of Wisconsin Hospital, researchers from University of Wisconsin conducted a retrospective chart review to determine how often nutritional information is obtained and any prevalence of abnormal nutritional parameters based on pre-pregnancy BMI.

“Body mass index may not be the optimal indicator of nutritional status in patients with inflammatory bowel disease,” the researchers wrote. “Nutritional status and outcomes in pregnant women have not been fully investigated.”

Of the patients, the mean age was 31.4 years, mean length of IBD was 7.5 years and 135 were included in the final analysis.   

Fifty-eight percent of patients had ideal BMI (n = 79), whereas 36% were considered overweight or obese (n = 49) and 5% were underweight (n = 7). Of 130 patients included in the weight analysis, 18% had ideal weight (n = 25), 30% had weight below Institute of Medicine guidelines (n = 41) and 45% were above those guidelines (n = 61).

Nutritional parameters assessed included albumin, vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron and ferritin. For albumin, 33% of pregnant women had abnormal levels, 35% had abnormal vitamin D, 35% had abnormal iron and 43% had abnormal ferritin. No patients had abnormal vitamin B12 levels. “Nutritional parameters are inadequately assessed in pregnant IBD women who have inadequate [maternal weight gain],” the researchers wrote.

The researchers concluded: “All pregnant women with IBD, regardless of pre-pregnancy BMI should be screened for nutritional deficiencies.” – by Melinda Stevens 

Reference: Benlwal-Patel P, et al. Abstract P-056. Presented at Advances in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Dec. 10-12, 2015; Orlando, Fla.

Disclosures: Healio Gastroenterology was unable to confirm relevant financial disclosures at the time of publication.