HUNT243 progress test 1

Lectures 2-10 - Unit 1

Preconception

The time before conception

Conception

The biological process where a sperm fertilises an egg

What does appropriate preconception nutrition promote?

Favourable maternal and infant outcomes in both the short and the long term

Why is considering preconception nutrition important?

As parents diets and lifestyle can have profound implications for the growth, development and long term health of their children before conception

What can maternal nutrition and health at conception influence?

The course and outcome of pregnancy and placental development and function

Placenta

A temporary organ that provides nutrients to the baby and is delivered and examined

Formal preconception definition

The period before (at least two years) and between pregnancies to improve health related outcomes for women (regardless of their pregnancy status), newborns and children and up to five year of age

Boundary of formal preconception definition

Divided into a proximal period (period preceding pregnancy (up to two years prior to conception) and distal period (adolescence or in general a longer time before pregnancy)

Formal periconception definition

The period preceding including and immediately following human conception to improve health related outcomes for women, newborns and children up to five years of age

Boundary of formal periconception definition

Three months before pregnancy up to the first trimester

What is the overlap between preconception and periconception?

Periconception includes the three months before pregnancy which overlaps with preconception as it is within the two years and more before pregnancy

When do most reproductive failures originate and why?

In the periconceptional period influenced by the health and lifestyle factors of parents to be

What is the critical window?

The first 1000 days of life including nutrition during last 270 days of pregnancy and the first two years of the child’s life which is key to brain development, healthy growth and a strong immune system

Non-communicable disease (NCD)

Long lasting, chronic health conditions that cannot be spread from person to person as they are typically driven by a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural

What is the leading cause of child deaths in third world countries?

Malnutrition so it is important that nutrition status is optimised

Globally, how many people suffer from one form of malnutrition?

1/3 of the worlds population

What are different kinds of malnutrition?

Undernutrition, obesity or overweight and nutrient deficiences

What processes occur during the periconceptional period?

Gametogenesis, fertilisation, implantation, embryogenesis and placentation

Why is the three week periconceptional period most important?

Because it marks the critical moment of conception and implantation where sperm fertilises an egg in the fallopian tube to form a zygote, which rapidly divides into a blastocyst and travels down to implant into the nutrient-rich uterine lining

How long does it take for sperm to develop and be released?

Around 10 weeks

How long does it take for eggs to mature and be released?

Around 14 weeks

What are factors to consider during preconception?

To optimise health, follow a healthy diet and lifestyle, reduce excess weight and supplement with folic acid and iodine if planning or trying to conceive

What can periconceptional micronutrient status influence?

Offspring metabolism, organ growth, development and function, leading to an increased risk of chronic disease