Impact of Maternal Nutritional Status in 2 nd Trimester of Pregnancy on Growth and Developmental Outcome of Children Between 6 Month To 1 Year

Objective: To evaluate the impact of maternal nutritional status during the second trimester on infant growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 6–12 months of age in a cohort from Central India. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted between April 2021 and March 2024 at a tertiary care center. A total of 180 mother-infant pairs were included in the final analysis. Maternal nutritional indicators—including body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin, weight, height, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC)—were recorded during the second trimester. Based on BMI, mothers were categorized into undernourished, normal, and overweight/obese groups. Infant development was assessed between 6 to 12 months using the Developmental Assessment Scale for Indian Infants (DASII) and Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE). Growth parameters and nutritional status were evaluated using WHO standards. Linear regression analysis was performed to identify maternal predictors of motor and mental developmental quotients (DMoQ and DMeQ). Results: Infants born to undernourished and anemic mothers had significantly lower motor and mental developmental scores, along with higher rates of underweight, microcephaly, and suboptimal neurological findings. Maternal hemoglobin was the most significant independent predictor of both DMoQ and DMeQ. Maternal BMI also positively influenced motor development. Other anthropometric indicators did not show significant associations. Conclusions: Poor maternal nutritional status, particularly anemia and undernutrition in mid-pregnancy, is strongly associated with adverse infant developmental and growth outcomes. Timely nutritional interventions during pregnancy are critical to improving early childhood health and breaking the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition.