Micronutrients in fetal growth and development Harry J McArdle and Cheryl J Ashworth Division of Nutrition, Pregnancy and Development, Rowert Research Insinite, Aberdeen, UK The roles that the different vitamins and minerals playin fexal growth and development are reviewed, primarily with respect to growth and ditferentiatn In humans: But a& appropriate, data provided from animal and cellar stucies 1e ato considered, Pregnancy is a period of rapid growth and cell differentiation, both for the mother and che fetus she carries, Consequently, itis a period when both ace very susceptibie zo alceracions in dietary supply especially of rnuceients which are.marginalnunder normal circumstances, Inappco- peiate-putrition lade not only to an increased risk of death in utero, but aiso co alterations in birth weight and functional changes in the neonatal organs. These changes can. have fae Féaching consequences. For example, babies who are smal ar birth are at an increased risk of cardio vascular disease and diabetes as adults’, while animals who arc born to ine deficient mothers have a compromised immune system’, The vaderlying mechanisms relate co nutrition eflecs on gene expression in the fetus. There is an argument, therefore, for supplementation in the dict, in order to avoid the consequences of deficiency during pregnancy. Supplementation with one specific micronutrient is not straightforward, however, since there are many interactions berween them, summarised below. Further, ocher dietary components are also important. For example, phytate inbibic calcium and other meral absorption and the n~ Siar6 ratio in Fatry acids aters fat-soluble vitamin absorption. Up until now, excess inrake has been an uncomumon problem, Howeven with the increasing practice of forcifying foods, especially in developing countries, che possibly of micronutrient coxicity has increased Micronutrient deficiencies have such varied effects because of the : diverse roles they play. During the process of cell growth, DNA is trans- Comontcets: cribed to RNA, which is then eeanslaced to proteins, which provide the Bent mar enzymes and structures of the cell At every stage in the process, micro ame syorients ace essential, either as signals fretnoie acid, for exantple}, ot ] tig ecanun, structural (zinc in transcription factors) or eatalyic (e.g. copper) eleracns, stecees Aen ek ve Different organs develop at different times in pregnancy. This Bives rise (0, Sr ca aed HE AB HED ‘PThe ath come 188Vitamins pie This os critical 1 tartitication WeKAAMATAKLTAIGATHE RL KL AIEAETTe TT TIAA AH HHH Ooes are yur usrients, meludiny vitamins A, E snd C. of sovokers are le smokers, Anciosidaae eutrients ace Believed co aetend duced lny tebacce smoke, Tihe use of these ether would mean that less ace available to peti sil Many human problems associated wih ro-arnbute sa. paeticular vitamia as isolation, Pustl bay tical min datictenc rin deticienes 6 studies report supplements on pregnancy outwome, tor ex muluwstamia use ts associated with a revinced cisk of cone omaa infants’, although ie is nag clear which vitamin is the eltective agent. It is, cherefore, important so refer 19 controlled animat studies to lindersiand dhe consequences al specie visamia def presmancy ant che fecal onan systers pein Fatsoluble vitamins vitamin 4 Retna ae el fa a the maincenanue of eitlerentiated ep « compourd of Biologically active revineids nll, the active element of viseal pexment lopment and Vis the par sldehyde ioe « sllulae messenger which modulates sf che world, veamnia 3 incakes retinol or its precagvor Barone, fsck of nae priate dictars choiges, The Werld Feat Ox iy of fonds cieh in 51% oF pee ni night Dlindaesy, Vitamin & det associated we rennet that vitsmia & deficiency leads te placental seal maHformations, However, many oF ter. Recent st