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Effect of Nutrition on Maternal Health, Fetal Development and Perinatal Outcomes

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition in Women".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 June 2024) | Viewed by 22906

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Themistoklis I. Dagklis

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Guest Editor

3rd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: maternal–fetal medicine; obstetrics; gynecology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Ioannis Tsakiridis

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Guest Editor

Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: high-risk pregnancy; maternal–fetal medicine
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Dr. Michael Chourdakis

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Guest Editor

Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessalonik, Greece
Interests: perinatal epidemiology; nutrition in pregnancy; nutritional epidemiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are organizing a Special Issue on the Effect of Nutrition on Maternal Health, Fetal Development and Perinatal Outcomes.

Several lifestyle factors affect the wellbeing of the woman and the fetus, and dietary behavior is one of the most important. While requirements for some nutrients (e.g., iron, folic acid) increase in pregnancy, the basic principles of healthy eating remain the same as for the general population. It is well established that failure to meet nutritional requirements adversely affects the perinatal outcome and also the offspring’s long-term health. Therefore, the adequate intake of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals during pregnancy to meet maternal and fetal needs is particularly important.

A developmental model for the causes of disease hypothesizes that the fetal environment may have an impact on epigenetic modifications and associated gene expression, leading the way to the onset of disease in neonates and late childhood. National and international recommendations are based on evidence regarding the health benefits and risks associated with adequate or inadequate consumption, respectively, of several nutritional elements.

In this Special Issue of Nutrients, we welcome original research articles, animal and clinical studies, as well as review articles on the current state of research.

Dr. Themistoklis I. Dagklis
Dr. Ioannis Tsakiridis
Dr. Michael Chourdakis
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

nutrition
pregnancy diet
comparison
energy
pregnancy outcome
perinatal
fetal
maternal

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

4 pages, 184 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Effects of Nutrition on Maternal Health, Fetal Development, and Perinatal Outcomes

by Aikaterini Apostolopoulou, Antigoni Tranidou, Ioannis Tsakiridis, Emmanuella Magriplis, Themistoklis Dagklis and Michail Chourdakis

Nutrients 2024, 16(3), 375; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16030375 - 27 Jan 2024

Viewed by 5200

Abstract

The early life theory states that the first 1000 days of a person’s life are highly influential, as lasting health impacts can be attained during this period [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Nutrition on Maternal Health, Fetal Development and Perinatal Outcomes)

Research

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16 pages, 1249 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Polyphenol Intake in Pregnant Women from South-Eastern Spain and the Effect on Anthropometric Measures at Birth and Gestational Age

by Daniel Hinojosa-Nogueira, Desirée Romero-Molina, Beatriz González-Alzaga, María José Giménez-Asensio, Antonio F. Hernandez, Beatriz Navajas-Porras, Adriana Delgado-Osorio, Antonio Gomez-Martin, Sergio Pérez-Burillo, Silvia Pastoriza de la Cueva, Marina Lacasaña and José Ángel Rufián-Henares

Nutrients 2024, 16(18), 3096; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16183096 - 13 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1005

Abstract

During pregnancy, controlling nutrition is crucial for the health of both mother and foetus. While polyphenols have positive health effects, some studies show harmful outcomes during pregnancy. This study evaluated polyphenol intake in a cohort of mother–child pairs and examined its effects on foetal anthropometric parameters. Polyphenol intake was assessed using food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) and 24-h dietary recalls, and analysed with the Phenol-Explorer database. Gestational age and birth measurements were retrieved from medical records. Statistical analyses validated dietary records and assessed polyphenol impact using multivariate generalised linear models. The study found that mean gestational age was 39.6 weeks, with a mean birth weight of 3.33 kg. Mean total polyphenol intake by FFQ was 2231 mg/day, slightly higher than 24-h recall data. Flavonoids and phenolic acids constituted 52% and 37% of intake, respectively, with fruits and legumes as primary sources. This study highlights the use of FFQs to estimate polyphenol intake. Furthermore, the study found associations between polyphenol consumption and anthropometric parameters at birth, with the effects varying depending on the type of polyphenol. However, a more precise evaluation of individual polyphenol intake is necessary to determine whether the effects they produce during pregnancy may be harmful or beneficial for foetal growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Nutrition on Maternal Health, Fetal Development and Perinatal Outcomes)

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11 pages, 533 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Body Composition Analysis of the Clinical Routine Using Air Displacement Plethysmography: Age-Group-Specific Feasibility Analysis among Preterm Infants

by Lennart A. Lücke, Niels Rochow, Katja Knab, Stefan Schäfer, Jasper L. Zimmermann, Anastasia Meis, Stephanie Lohmüller-Weiß, Adel Szakacs-Fusch, Ursula Felderhoff-Müser and Christoph Fusch

Nutrients 2024, 16(16), 2694; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16162694 - 14 Aug 2024

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Abstract

Body composition assessments using air displacement plethysmography (ADP, PEAPOD^®) have been introduced into clinical practice at a few neonatal units. To allow accurate body composition assessments in term and preterm infants, a workflow for routine testing is needed. The aim of this study was to analyze the feasibility of weekly routine ADP testing. We analyzed (1) postnatal ages at first ADP assessment, (2) the number of weekly routine in-hospital assessments, and (3) the workload of body composition measurements using ADP in clinical practice on the basis of an retrospective analysis of our own clinical operating procedures. The retrospective analysis of weekly routine ADP testing proved feasible at Nuremberg Children’s Hospital. The analysis of postnatal age at the first ADP test revealed differences across groups, with extremely preterm infants starting at a mean postmenstrual age of 36.6 weeks, very preterm infants starting at 34.2 weeks, and moderate to late preterm infants starting at 35.3 weeks. The mean number of tests before discharge was significantly greater in the extremely preterm group (n = 3.0) than in the very preterm (n = 2.4) and moderate to late preterm groups (n = 1.7). The workload of the procedure is reasonable, at 8–13 min per test cycle. The study proved that weekly routine ADP assessments in preterm infants are feasible. However, the initiation of routine testing in extremely preterm infants starts at a significantly greater postnatal age than in the more mature population. ADP assessments can be safely and easily integrated into clinical practice and may be valuable tools for providing additional information on nutritional status and infant growth. A standardized routine protocol allowing identical measurement conditions across healthcare institutions and a standardized interpretation tool for age-adapted body composition data, however, would improve comparability and usability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Nutrition on Maternal Health, Fetal Development and Perinatal Outcomes)

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14 pages, 1145 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Total Gestational Weight Gain Is Explained by Leptin and Body Fat, Regardless of Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index and Other Adipokines, in Mexican Adolescents

by Gabriela Chico-Barba, Reyna Sámano, Hugo Martínez-Rojano, Rosa María Morales-Hernández, Edgar Barrientos-Galeana, Andrea Luna-Hidalgo, Martha Kaufer-Horwitz, Gregorio T. Obrador and Antonio Rafael Villa-Romero

Nutrients 2024, 16(13), 2147; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16132147 - 5 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1398

Abstract

Pre-pregnancy body mass index (pBMI) is a predictor of gestational weight gain (GWG). However, other factors, such as adipokines and inflammation markers, may also be associated with GWG. The aim of the study was to determine the association of leptin, adiponectin, irisin, and C-reactive protein, with GWG in adolescents. A longitudinal study was conducted from 2018 to 2023 in adolescents with a clinically healthy pregnancy. The assessments included sociodemographic and clinical data, pBMI, percent of body fat, serum concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, irisin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and total GWG adequacy. Cox regression models were performed, the outcome variables were inadequate and excessive GWG. In 198 participants, being overweight/obesity was marginally associated with a protective effect against inadequate GWG (HR = 0.44, 95%CI = 0.18–1.06), regardless of maternal characteristics and adipokines. Leptin (HR = 1.014, 95%CI = 1.008–1.021), and body fat percent (HR = 1.11, 95%CI = 1.05–1.17) were associated with a higher risk of excessive GWG, independent of other maternal variables such as pBMI, while adiponectin was associated with a lower risk. These findings suggest that, in Mexican adolescents, adipose tissue and its adipokines during pregnancy may play a more significant role in the final GWG than body weight. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Nutrition on Maternal Health, Fetal Development and Perinatal Outcomes)

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14 pages, 473 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prenatal Iodine Intake and Maternal Pregnancy and Postpartum Depressive and Anhedonia Symptoms: Findings from a Multiethnic US Cohort

by Aderonke A. Akinkugbe, Yueh-Hsiu Mathilda Chiu, Srimathi Kannan, Veerle Bergink and Rosalind J. Wright

Nutrients 2024, 16(11), 1771; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16111771 - 5 Jun 2024

Viewed by 1106

Abstract

Objective: Emerging evidence suggests that essential trace elements, including iodine, play a vital role in depressive disorders. This study investigated whether prenatal dietary iodine intake alone and in combination with supplemental iodine intake during pregnancy were associated with antepartum and postpartum depressive and anhedonia symptoms. Methods: The study population included 837 mothers in the PRogramming of Intergenerational Stress Mechanisms (PRISM) study. The modified BLOCK food frequency questionnaire was used to estimate prenatal dietary and supplemental iodine intake, while the 10-item Edinburg Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) ascertained depressive symptoms. Analyses considered the global EPDS score and the anhedonia and depressive symptom subscale scores using dichotomized cutoffs. Logistic regression estimating odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) assessed associations of iodine intake in the second trimester of pregnancy and 6-month postpartum depressive and anhedonia symptoms considering dietary intake alone and combined dietary and supplementary intake in separate models. Results: Most women were Black/Hispanic Black (43%) and non-Black Hispanics (35%), with 39% reporting a high school education or less. The median (interquartile range, IQR) dietary and supplemental iodine intake among Black/Hispanic Black (198 (115, 337) µg/day) and non-Black Hispanic women (195 (126, 323) µg/day) was higher than the overall median intake level of 187 (116, 315) µg/day. Relative to the Institute of Medicine recommended iodine intake level of 160–220 µg/day, women with intake levels < 100 µg/day, 100–<160 µg/day, >220–<400 µg/day and ≥400 µg/day had increased adjusted odds of 6-month postpartum anhedonia symptoms (aOR = 1.74 (95% CI: 1.08, 2.79), 1.25 (95% CI: 0.80, 1.99), 1.31 (95% CI: 0.82, 2.10), and 1.47 (95% CI: 0.86, 2.51), respectively). The corresponding estimates for postpartum global depressive symptoms were similar but of smaller magnitude. Conclusions: Prenatal iodine intake, whether below or above the recommended levels for pregnant women, was most strongly associated with greater anhedonia symptoms, particularly in the 6-month postpartum period. Further studies are warranted to corroborate these findings, as dietary and supplemental iodine intake are amenable to intervention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Nutrition on Maternal Health, Fetal Development and Perinatal Outcomes)

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14 pages, 313 KiB

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A Study of Fluid Intake, Hydration Status, and Body Composition of Pregnant Women in Their Third Trimester, and Relationships with Their Infant’s Birth Weight in China: A Prospective Cohort Study

by Yongye Song, Fan Zhang, Xing Wang, Guotian Lin, Limin He, Zhixiong Lin, Na Zhang and Guansheng Ma

Nutrients 2024, 16(7), 972; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16070972 - 27 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1597

Abstract

Background: Water intake and hydration status may potentially influence maternal and child health. However, there is little research regarding this topic. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate pregnant women’s total fluid intake (TFI) levels, hydration status, and body composition and further explore their relationship with infant birth weight. Methods: A 7-day, 24 h fluid intake recorded was applied to determine participants’ TFI levels. Morning urine samples were collected and tested to evaluate their hydration status. Maternal body compositions in their third trimester and infant birth weights were measured. Results: A total of 380 participants completed the study. The TFI was insufficient for pregnant women during their third trimester (median = 1574 mL), with only 12.1% of participants meeting the recommended adequate fluid intake level for pregnant women living in China (1.7 L per day). With the increasing TFI values, the urine osmolality decreased, which showed statistical significance among the four groups (χ² = 22.637, p < 0.05). The participants displayed a poor hydration status. Meanwhile, the percentage of participants who were in dehydrated status decreased (χ² = 67.618, p < 0.05), while body water content and basal metabolic rate increased with the increase in TFI levels (χ² = 20.784, p < 0.05; χ² = 14.026, p < 0.05). There were positive linear relationships between plain water intake, the basal metabolic rate of pregnant women and their infant birth weight (SE = 0.153, p < 0.05; SE = 0.076, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Water intake was insufficient, and poor hydration status was common among pregnant women in China. There may be potential relationships between plain water intake, basal metabolic rate, and infant birth weight. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Nutrition on Maternal Health, Fetal Development and Perinatal Outcomes)

11 pages, 596 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prediction of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in the First Trimester of Pregnancy Based on Maternal Variables and Pregnancy Biomarkers

by Antigoni Tranidou, Ioannis Tsakiridis, Aikaterini Apostolopoulou, Theodoros Xenidis, Nikolaos Pazaras, Apostolos Mamopoulos, Apostolos Athanasiadis, Michail Chourdakis and Themistoklis Dagklis

Nutrients 2024, 16(1), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16010120 - 29 Dec 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1696

Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a significant health concern with adverse outcomes for both pregnant women and their offspring. Recognizing the need for early intervention, this study aimed to develop an early prediction model for GDM risk assessment during the first trimester. Utilizing a prospective cohort of 4917 pregnant women from the Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, the study sought to combine maternal characteristics, obstetric and medical history, and early pregnancy-specific biomarker concentrations into a predictive tool. The primary objective was to create a series of predictive models that could accurately identify women at high risk for developing GDM, thereby facilitating early and targeted interventions. To this end, maternal age, body mass index (BMI), obstetric and medical history, and biomarker concentrations were analyzed and incorporated into five distinct prediction models. The study’s findings revealed that the models varied in effectiveness, with the most comprehensive model combining maternal characteristics, obstetric and medical history, and biomarkers showing the highest potential for early GDM prediction. The current research provides a foundation for future studies to refine and expand upon the predictive models, aiming for even earlier and more accurate detection methods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Nutrition on Maternal Health, Fetal Development and Perinatal Outcomes)

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17 pages, 1620 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index and Maternal Exercise Affect Birth and Neonatal Outcomes—A Cross Sectional Study

by Anna Weronika Szablewska, Jolanta Wierzba, Rita Santos-Rocha and Anna Szumilewicz

Nutrients 2023, 15(23), 4894; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15234894 - 23 Nov 2023

Viewed by 2498

Abstract

There has been a dramatic worldwide increase in the prevalence of obesity or overweight and physical inactivity in women of reproductive age. Growing evidence suggests that pre-pregnancy maternal abnormal body mass index (BMI) and lower physical activity level are associated with poor maternal health and perinatal outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess how self-perceived exercise and pre-pregnancy BMI are associated with preterm birth, low birth weight, and type of birth. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of 394 Polish women in the postpartum period. We used a questionnaire with the structure of the medical interview. To analyze factors related to birth outcomes, we used the Pearson’s Chi-squared test of independence and odds ratio (OR), with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI), followed by a multiple logistic regression. Women who reported being physically active before pregnancy (p = 0.00) and during pregnancy (p = 0.03) were more likely to give birth on time and had a lower incidence of very-premature and extremely premature births compared to inactive women. Importantly, they were more likely to have vaginal birth (p = 0.03). Pre-pregnancy BMI influenced the week of delivery, i.e., inadequate, too-high BMI contributed to an increase in the percentage of premature births [OR (95% CI) = 1.19 (1.06; 1.34)]. The findings indicate that promoting physical activity and weight management remains a priority in public health policy, and women of childbearing age should be encouraged to adopt or maintain an active and healthy lifestyle during pregnancy in order to avoid sedentary- and obesity-associated risks affecting birth and newborns’ health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Nutrition on Maternal Health, Fetal Development and Perinatal Outcomes)

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16 pages, 5474 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Maternal Body Mass Index Trends and Weight Gain in Singleton Pregnancies at the Time of Fetal Anatomic Survey: Changes in the Last Decade and New Trends in the Modern Era

by Alexandra Ursache, Iuliana Elena Bujor, Alexandra Elena Cristofor, Denisa Oana Zelinschi, Dragos Nemescu and Daniela Roxana Matasariu

Nutrients 2023, 15(22), 4788; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15224788 - 15 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1327

Abstract

(1) Background: the worldwide impact of overweight and obesity is rising, increasingly resembling an epidemic (a price we have to pay for our new way of living). (2) Methods: our study aims to evaluate the temporal trends and patterns of singleton pregnant women’s BMI (body mass index) in our region during a 12-year time frame between 2010 and 2021. (3) Results: We noticed a statistically significant difference between the BMIs of nulliparous and multiparous women and a significantly increased pregestational BMI in women with previous ART (assisted reproductive technology) procedures. Smoking pregnant women had a higher second trimester weight gain, regardless of parity. Women with folic acid supplementation alone had a higher BMI than those with folic acid and multivitamin intake. The weight of both nulliparous and multiparous women with chronic hypertension was statistically significantly higher in all three timeframes. Global weight gain did not reveal any statistically significant changes concerning women with pregestational diabetes, regardless of parity and the pregnancy trimester. (4) Conclusions: our article describes the trends in obesity and overweight in our middle-income country, in which this pathology is continuously growing, negatively influencing our reproductive-aged women and future generations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Nutrition on Maternal Health, Fetal Development and Perinatal Outcomes)

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11 pages, 275 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preconception Maternal Mentoring for Improved Fetal Growth among Indonesian Women: Results from a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

by Hamam Hadi, Siti Nurunniyah, Joel Gittelsohn, Ratih Devi Alfiana, Fatimatasari, Emma C. Lewis and Detty Nurdiati

Nutrients 2023, 15(21), 4579; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15214579 - 28 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1701

Abstract

The prevalence of stunting in young children is associated with poor growth during the prenatal and early postnatal periods. A maternal mentoring program was developed for Indonesian women to improve birth outcomes. A cluster-randomized controlled trial (CRCT) was conducted in three sub-districts of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. A total of 384 eligible participants were randomly allocated to either an intervention (received the maternal mentoring program and standard care; n = 189) or control (received standard care only; n = 195) group. The maternal mentoring program provided preconception health education; health monitoring; and text message reminders for preconception women. Fetal growth was measured between gestational weeks 27 and 30 using the estimated fetal weight generated from ultrasonographic measurements. Birth weight was measured within 24 h of birth. A structured questionnaire captured women’s demographics, pregnancy readiness, and body mass indexes (BMIs). After adjustment, fetal weight was 14% (95% CI: 5.1–23.0) higher in the intervention group than in the control group, and the average weight-for-length Z-score at birth was 0.16 (95% CI: 0.04–0.30) higher in the intervention group than in the control group. The maternal mentoring program was associated with improved fetal growth and birth weight in this population and should be considered for scale-up to other settings, nationally and globally. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Nutrition on Maternal Health, Fetal Development and Perinatal Outcomes)

Review

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11 pages, 670 KiB

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The Effects of Prenatal Iron Supplementation on Offspring Neurodevelopment in Upper Middle- or High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

by Najma A. Moumin, Emily Shepherd, Kai Liu, Maria Makrides, Jacqueline F. Gould, Tim J. Green and Luke E. Grzeskowiak

Nutrients 2024, 16(15), 2499; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16152499 - 31 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1512

Abstract

Iron supplementation is commonly recommended for the prevention and treatment of maternal iron deficiency (ID) or iron deficiency anemia (IDA). However, the impacts of prophylactic of therapeutic prenatal iron supplementation on child neurodevelopment in upper middle-income (UMI) and high-income countries (HICs), where broad nutritional deficiencies are less common, are unclear. To investigate this, we conducted a systematic review, searching four databases (Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Library) through 1 May 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing oral or intravenous iron supplementation in pregnant women reporting on child neurodevelopment (primary outcome: age-standardized cognitive scores) were eligible. We included three RCTs (five publications) from two HICs (Spain and Australia) (N = 935 children; N = 1397 mothers). Due to clinical heterogeneity of the RCTs, meta-analyses were not appropriate; findings were narratively synthesized. In non-anemic pregnant women, prenatal iron for prevention of IDA resulted in little to no difference in cognition at 40 days post-partum (1 RCT, 503 infants; very low certainty evidence). Similarly, the effect on the intelligence quotient at four years was very uncertain (2 RCTs, 509 children, very low certainty evidence). No RCTs for treatment of ID assessed offspring cognition. The effects on secondary outcomes related to language and motor development, or other measures of cognitive function, were unclear, except for one prevention-focused RCT (302 children), which reported possible harm for children’s behavioral and emotional functioning at four years. There is no evidence from UMI countries and insufficient evidence from HICs to support or refute benefits or harms of prophylactic or therapeutic prenatal iron supplementation on child neurodevelopment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Nutrition on Maternal Health, Fetal Development and Perinatal Outcomes)

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14 pages, 449 KiB

Open AccessReview

Maternal Fiber Intake and Perinatal Depression and Anxiety

by Neda Ebrahimi, Tiffany Turner, Faith Gallant, Abinaa Chandrakumar, Roshni Kohli, Rebecca Lester, Victoria Forte and Kieran Cooley

Nutrients 2024, 16(15), 2484; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16152484 - 31 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1638

Abstract

(1) Background: Dietary fiber can significantly alter gut microbiota composition. The role of the gut microbiome in the Gut–Brain Axis and modulation of neuropsychiatric disease is increasingly recognized. The role of antenatal diet, particularly fiber intake, in mitigating maternal mental health disorders remains unexplored. The objective of this review is to investigate the association between maternal fiber intake and perinatal depression and anxiety (PDA). (2) Methods: A literature review of PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted using appropriate keyword/MeSH terms for pregnancy, diet, fiber, and mental health. Observational and clinical trials published between 2015 and 2021 were included and data pertaining to dietary patterns (DP), food intake, mental health, and demographic data were extracted. The top three fiber-containing food groups (FG) per study were identified using a sum rank scoring system of fiber per 100 g and fiber per serving size. The consumption of these top three fiber FGs was then ranked for each dietary pattern/group. Mental health outcomes for each study were simplified into three categories of improved, no change, and worsened. The relationship between top three fiber FGs consumed within each DP and mental health outcomes was analyzed using Spearman’s correlation. (3) Results: Thirteen of fifty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Ten (76.9%) studies assessed DPs (seven examined depression only, two examined depression and anxiety, and one examined anxiety only). Seven (53.9%) studies reported at least one significant positive relationship between mental health outcomes and DPs while three reported at least one negative outcome. Three (23.1%) studies compared intake of different food groups between depressed and non-depressed groups. In studies of DPs, the average consumption ranking of the top three fiber FGs bore a significant inverse association with mental health outcomes [r = −0.419 (95%CI: −0.672–−0.078)] p = 0.015. In studies comparing the intake of different FGs between depressed and non-depressed groups, the consumption of top-ranking fiber foods was higher in the non-depressed groups, but significantly higher in four of the ten high fiber FGs. (4) Conclusions: This study reframes findings from previously published studies of maternal diet and mental health outcomes to focus on fiber intake specifically, using a fiber ranking system. A significant correlation between lower intake of fiber and poorer mental health outcomes warrants further investigation in future studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Nutrition on Maternal Health, Fetal Development and Perinatal Outcomes)

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