A Community-Based Survey on Maternal Nutritional Patterns and Epigenetic Risk Indicators for Childhood Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): A Clinical Pharmacist Perspective

Background: Prenatal nutrition is vital in fetal programming and epigenetic alteration, hence determining future non-communicable diseases (NCDs) risk in childhood. Poor maternal nutrition, lack of adherence to micronutrient supplements, and improper use of medications during pregnancy are some of the significant issues in terms of public health in developing countries.

Aim and objective: The study evaluated the maternal nutritional status, the presence of micronutrient supplements, medication exposure, and epigenetic risk proxy indicators of childhood NCDs and investigated the preventive potential of clinical pharmacists based on community-based data.

Methodology: The community-based retrospective cross-sectional survey involved 210 postnatal mothers who were administered with a structured and pre-validated questionnaire. Epigenetic proxy risk factors were maternal diets, adherence to supplements, exposure to medication, and early childhood outcomes (low birth weight, preterm birth, and exclusive breastfeeding). Inferential and descriptive statistical analysis was conducted.

Results: The maternal nutrition in the course of pregnancy was found poor in 57.6% of the participants. The adherence rate was reported to be 49.5% and 44.3% with regular adherence to iron-folic acid and calcium supplementation. The prevalence was low birth weight (23.8%), preterm birth (18.6) and insufficient exclusive breastfeeding (41.9%). Low nutritional scores and non-adherence to supplements were of a significant correlation with negative early-life outcomes.

Conclusion: There was a significant association between adverse epigenetic risk proxy indicators and suboptimal maternal nutrition and poor supplement adherence. Enhancing community-based, pharmacist-led, nutritional counselling can help in decreasing the risk of intergenerational NCD.