Which foods are best for the health of unborn babies?

Friday 23 June 2006

Which foods should women eat during pregnancy for the health of their baby? Do male babies have different nutritional requirements to female babies?

Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) researchers are seeking the answers, but they need the help of pregnant women who plan to give birth at John Hunter Hospital (JHH) to find out.

Researchers aim to recruit 400 women who are in the early stages of pregnancy (up to 16 weeks) and will be attending antenatal clinics at JHH, to take part in the Women and their Children's Health (WATCH) study.

The study will follow progress of the women throughout pregnancy and during the first two to three years of the children's lives. By monitoring factors like nutrition and hormones, researchers hope to identify the combination that results in the healthiest babies.

"Through this study we hope to discover why some babies are born early and hope to eventually predict the chances of this happening. We also want to know why babies grow differently and how this affects a child's health and development as he or she grows," said University of Newcastle PhD student and Dietitian, Alexis Hure.

"We know that nutrition is very important to the growth of babies and that it can impact on the likelihood of premature birth, but there is limited knowledge to guide pregnant women in their nutrition choices.

"The results of this study may bring improved health care to women in the early stages of pregnancy."

The WATCH study brings together the expertise of HMRI researchers from Hunter New England Health and the University of Newcastle, including Professor Roger Smith (Endocrinology Director, JHH), Dr Clare Collins (Dietitian and Senior Lecturer, University of Newcastle) and Professor Warwick Giles (Director of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, JHH).

If you are interested in participating please phone Alexis Hure on 4921 7486.

Media opportunity:
Monday 26th June, 11am - 12noon
Antenatal Clinic at John Hunter Hospital
An ultrasound (a key component of the WATCH study) will be conducted and HMRI researchers will be available for interview

Media contact: Lauren Eyles, HMRI Communication Officer, phone 4921 4841 or 0434 600 940.