Estimation of protein requirements in Indian pregnant women using a whole-body potassium counter. Issue 4 (15th April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kuriyan, Rebecca; Naqvi, Saba; Bhat, Kishor G; Thomas, Tinku; Thomas, Annamma; George, Shirley; Nagarajarao, Sheela C; Sachdev, Harshpal Singh; Preston, Thomas; Kurpad, Anura V
• Is Part Of: American journal of clinical nutrition. Volume 109:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 1064
• Page End: 1070
• Publication Date: 2019-04-15
• Subjects: pregnancy -- protein requirements -- total body potassium -- gestational weight gain -- whole-body potassium counter; Diet therapy -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Dietetics -- Periodicals; 613.205
• DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqz011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-9165

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: The 2007 World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization/United Nations University (WHO/FAO/UNU) recommendation for the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) of additional protein during pregnancy for a gestational weight gain (GWG) of 12 kg (recalculated from a GWG of 13.8 kg) is 6.7 and 21.7 g/d in the second and the third trimester, respectively. This EAR is based on measurements of potassium accretion in high-income country (HIC) pregnant women. It is not known if low- to middle-income country, but well-nourished, pregnant women have comparable requirements. Objective: We aimed to estimate total body potassium (TBK) accretion during pregnancy in Indian pregnant women, using a whole-body potassium counter (WBKC), to measure their additional protein EAR. Methods: Well-nourished pregnant women (20–40 y, n = 38, middle socioeconomic stratum) were recruited in the first trimester of pregnancy. Anthropometric, dietary, and physical activity measurements, and measurements of TBK using a WBKC, were performed at each trimester and at birth. Results: The mid-trimester weight gain was 2.7 kg and 8.0 kg in the second and the third trimester, respectively, for an average 37-wk GWG of 10.7 kg and a mean birth weight of 3.0 kg. Protein accretion was 2.7 and 5.7 g/d, for an EAR of 8.2 and 18.9 g/d in the second and the third trimester, respectively. The additional protein EAR, calculated for a GWG of 12 kg, was 9.1 and 21.2 g/d in the second and the third trimester, respectively. Conclusion: The additional protein requirements of well-nourished Indian pregnant women for a GWG of 12 kg in the second and third trimesters were similar to the recalculated 2007 WHO/FAO/UNU requirements for 12 kg.