Evaluation of the relationship between micronutrients and adverse pregnancy outcomes: design, and methodology

Objective (s): To investigate the relationship between dietary intake of iron، zinc، calcium، maternal serum concentration of iron، zinc، calcium، lead and pregnancy outcomes. This paper presents the design، and methodology applied in the current study. In a prospective longitudinal study، 1033 pregnant women from 10 hospitals in Tehran were followed up from 14 to 20 weeks of pregnancy to 24 hours after delivery. Questionnaire data، anthropometric measurements and blood samples were collected and the follow-up for adverse pregnancy outcomes estimated. The important features distinguishing this study from previous ones are discussed. This paper provides important information on micronutrients and pregnancy outcomes. In addition، it is hoped that the findings of this study will help health care providers to make evidence based decisions about micronutrients supplementation during pregnancy.