Pregnancy

Study Finds Link Between High Fat Diet and Increased Stillbirth Risk

Japanese macaques Eating a high fat diet is unhealthy for anyone. However, a recent study performed at the Oregon Health & Science University confirms that pregnant women should be extra careful about the fat content of their diets.

High-fat diets have been suspected of a higher risk of stillbirth for a long time, but until now, it was not understood why or how it happens. To help them learn how high-fat diets affect pregnancy, researchers observed Japanese macaques, which have a placenta structure that is similar to humans.

During observations, researchers found that a high-fat, high-calorie diet actually restricted blood flow to the placenta, often causing placenta inflammation. This is the temporary organ that is responsible for nourishing the infant while in utero. This blood flow restriction means that fewer nutrients transfer from the mother to the growing fetus. Inflammation of the placenta was also found to increase risk of stillbirth.

High fat meal

Placenta inflammation was found in all monkeys that consumed a high fat diet. However, the risk was even further elevated in monkeys that were already obese or had insulin problems.

Stillbirths, however, were not the only pregnancy problem that was linked to a high fat diet. Previous studies had already linked placenta damage to other types of pregnancy problems, including pre-eclampsia, abnormal fetal growth, and preterm labor. As a result, researchers concluded that the damage caused to the placenta while eating a high fat, high calorie diet, increased the risk for all types of pregnancy problems and complications.

Researchers indicated that more studies needed to be performed to determine exactly how the high fat diet actually reduces the blood flow to the placenta. They also stated that they will need to do more studies and testing to determine how dietary changes will affect the overall outcome. What they do want to express to women, at this time, is that a high fat diet does put them at higher risk for stillbirth as well as many other common pregnancy complications.

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About the author

Kate

Kate Givans is a wife and a mother of five—four sons (one with autism) and a daughter. She’s an advocate for breastfeeding, women’s rights, against domestic violence, and equality for all. When not writing—be it creating her next romance novel or here on Growing Your Baby—Kate can be found discussing humanitarian issues, animal rights, eco-awareness, food, parenting, and her favorite books and shows on Twitter or Facebook. Laundry is the bane of her existence, but armed with a cup of coffee, she sometimes she gets it done.

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