Nutrition education program for pregnant women to promote healthy newborn telomere length

Overview

This proposal outlines a planned two-arm randomized clinical trial investigating whether a structured nutrition education program during pregnancy can improve maternal dietary quality and, in turn, promote longer newborn telomere length. Telomere length at birth is an important predictor of lifelong telomere length and is influenced by lifestyle factors such as diet, stress, and smoking. Prior studies have linked maternal intake of antioxidants, fiber, fruits, vegetables, and key micronutrients to newborn telomere outcomes, but few have evaluated the cumulative impact of a sustained educational intervention across all trimesters. The research team has already completed a six-month feasibility pilot in a public-care setting, identifying practical barriers and opportunities for scaling to a larger trial.

Technical specifications

Study design and population:

• Two-arm randomized clinical trial planned over 12 months
• Target enrollment: 170 overweight pregnant women in their first trimester (≤ 12 weeks of gestation)
• Participants without diagnosed metabolic disease and on their first pregnancy

Intervention:

• Monthly face-to-face individual counselling sessions for the intervention group
• Guidance on proper gestational weight gain, changing nutrient requirements, and strategies to incorporate vitamin B9, iron, and calcium rich foods
• Promotion of breastfeeding and weaning guidance

Measurements and assessments:

• Maternal dietary intake assessed by 24-hour recall at each appointment
• Maternal weight gain monitored at each visit
• Blood tests at weeks 14, 20, and 36 measuring hemoglobin, albumin, lipids, and vitamin C
• Offspring length, weight, cephalic perimeter, and gestational age recorded from hospital records
• Newborn peripheral blood sample collected during the first week of life for telomere length analysis using a modified Cawthon PCR method

Scientific basis:

• Pilot data supports feasibility of the nutrition education program in public-care settings
• Evidence from the MANOE cohort and prior studies links maternal vitamin D, vitamin C, and sodium intake to newborn telomere length

Technology readiness level

The research is at an early-to-intermediate stage of development. A six-month feasibility pilot has been completed, confirming that the nutrition education program can be delivered within a public-care prenatal context and providing initial insight into population-specific barriers and opportunities. The next planned step is a full-scale randomized clinical trial to validate the intervention's impact on newborn telomere length. The protocol, measurement instruments, and laboratory methods are defined, but the larger trial has not yet been conducted. This proposal represents a collaboration opportunity for partners interested in supporting or co-developing maternal nutrition research with potential implications for lifelong offspring health outcomes.