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III Studies of Maternal Nutrition and Infant Outcome: Statistical Versus Biological Significance
Author(s) -
Margen Sheldon
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
birth
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.233
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1523-536X
pISSN - 0730-7659
DOI - 10.1111/j.1523-536x.1982.tb01657.x
Subject(s) - allowance (engineering) , pregnancy , medicine , statistical significance , environmental health , demography , pediatrics , biology , economics , operations management , genetics , sociology
Nearly all of the nutritional supplementation programs for malnourished pregnant women have resulted in statistically significant increases in birthweight. To tell whether these gains are biologically or socially significant we must factor in the effects of infections, other nutrient deficits, secular changes in health care, and stress. We must reexamine assumptions about 2,500 grams dividing low from normal birthweight, and the increase in protein in the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for pregnant women. Most studies have raised questions about the mechanism of nutritional adaptation to pregnancy and methods of evaluating the nutritional status of pregnant women.