MS

thesisThe purpose of this research was to identify the effects of an individual prescription of protein and kilocalories during pregnancy on infant outcomes. The specific aim of the study was to compare quantitatively the relationship between the maternal independent variable of adequate and inadequate levels of protein and kilocalories ingested during pregnancy and the dependent variable of infant outcome. The following categories of infant outcomes were measured: morbidity and mortality, anthropometric data, behavioral assessment, Apgar score and gestational age assessment. This research is an extension of a previous study. The results of that research and the present findings have been combined for comparison and analysis. Forty-three newborns were assigned to either an adequate group or inadequate group using the Static Group Comparison design. This design compared newborns of mothers who ate adequately and those who did not. Differences were identified between infant outcomes for those adequate group"" mothers whose average daily ingestion of both protein and kilocalories was greater than or equal to 85% of the prescription when compared with infant outcomes for those ""inadequate group"" mothers whose average daily ingestion of both protein and kilocalories was less than 85% of the prescription. Differences between the adequate newborn group (N^ = 18) and the inadequate newborn group (N = 25) included significantly greater birthweights for infants of mothers in the adequate group, higher birth-weight percentiles, and higher habituation scores. Other results suggestive of significance included 5 minute Apgar scores and infant behavioral assessment scores. These findings support the positive effects of adequate maternal intake of protein and kilocalories on infant outcomes."