SERUM PROTEIN AND ALBUMIN PARAMETERS DURING PREGNANCY ALERT ABOUT THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF THE PREGNANT WOMAN. NARRATIVE REVIEW

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.1592202218044

• Palavras-chave: Review, pregnancy, maternal nutrition, biochemistry, socioeconomic status

• Keywords: Review, pregnancy, maternal nutrition, biochemistry, socioeconomic status

• Abstract:

  The protein needs in pregnant women increase throughout pregnancy, due mainly to the growth of maternal and fetal tissues. Thus, the diet of pregnant women must be balanced, complete, and sufficient to cover the nutritional requirement in this stage of life. Unfortunately, certain social conditions prevent women from eating a proper diet, with undesirable consequences. Our study of integrative review has been undertaken with the intent to evaluate the nutritional status of pregnant women, and to identify indicators of nutritional quality. 

  Most studies confirm that the diet of the pregnant woman is of low quality and inadequate, and they reveal that women do not have an adequate intake of macronutrients. Moreover, some articles describe that women during pregnancy, puerperium and lactation do not make the nutritional recommendations prescribed by the health professional. 

  After analysing the articles narrative, the researchers detected the need to include the determination of serum albumin and total protein levels in the pregnancy and puerperium protocol, as indicators of nutritional quality. These parameters can alert and guide to health professional for the early detection of a possible malnutrition in the mother. It would also be very important promote dietary recommendations, even in countries with optimal socio-sanitary conditions.

• Número de páginas: 23