Dairy and Growth, Latest Findings, and Lessons Learned

Abstract

Background: Low birth weight is a significant risk factor in infant mortality and morbidity and the likelihood of chronic and clinical disease in later life.

Objective: To identify reported associations between maternal dietary patterns and risk of low birth weight offspring.

Methods: This article reviews some of the literature on this subject, with emphasis on maternal intake of dairy products.

Results: Published data show a positive association between maternal dairy product intake and birth weight but are inconclusive with respect to fetal length. While data are limited, 2 studies have reported a positive association between maternal consumption of milk and yogurt and birth weight, but this association is not observed with respect to consumption of cheese.

Conclusion: If correct, by deduction, this observation is suggestive that whey protein may be a contributing factor to birth weight. Indirect evidence supporting why this observation merits further investigation is presented.

Keywords: low birth weight; maternal nutrition; pregnancy; whey protein.