Doha, Qatar: Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, has published two new studies highlighting how a mother’s diet during pregnancy can influence pregnancy outcomes and the long-term health of her child through precision nutrition and epigenetic changes.
The first study, published in npj Science of Food, found that women who experienced preterm birth consumed lower amounts of protein, vitamins, and essential minerals than those with full-term pregnancies. Researchers also identified epigenetic changes linked to fetal development and immune function, suggesting poor maternal nutrition may increase the risk of premature birth.
A second study, published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, examined gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and found that affected mothers consumed higher levels of saturated fat while having lower levels of vitamin D and folate. The research identified epigenetic changes in genes involved in insulin regulation and glucose metabolism, indicating that maternal diet may influence a child’s future risk of metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes.
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The findings support the value of early nutritional assessment and personalised dietary interventions during pregnancy to improve maternal health and reduce long-term health risks for children.
Dr. Annalisa Terranegra, Head of the Precision Nutrition Laboratory, Translational Medicine Department, Sidra Medicine: “Nutrition is one of the earliest and most powerful influences on human health, beginning long before birth. Our research shows that what a mother eats during pregnancy can leave measurable biological signatures that influence fetal development and potentially shape health across the lifespan. By understanding these mechanisms, we are moving closer to delivering personalized nutritional recommendations that help prevent pregnancy complications and give every child the healthiest possible start in life.”
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Sidra Medicine is also expanding its precision nutrition research to explore how maternal dietary fats may affect early brain development and the future risk of neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The research forms part of Sidra Medicine’s broader Precision Nutrition initiative, which combines genomics, epigenetics, microbiome research, and personalised care to improve pregnancy outcomes and support healthier future generations.
Dr. Ibrahim Mamoun Ibrahim, Senior Attending Physician, Endocrinology, and Lead for Diabetes in Pregnancy, Sidra Medicine: “Gestational diabetes is one of the most common complications of pregnancy, but it is also one of the most preventable when women receive the right support at the right time. These findings reinforce that nutrition is far more than lifestyle advice, it is an integral part of medical care during pregnancy. By combining advanced research with personalized nutritional guidance, we have an opportunity to improve pregnancy outcomes today while helping reduce the future risk of metabolic disease for the next generation.”
