Exposure to ultra-processed foods during pregnancy and ultrasound fetal growth parameters

Periconceptional maternal ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption impairs embryonic growth. Impacts of exposure to UPF on distinct components of fetal growth in late pregnancy are unknown. We investigated the influence of frequency of UPF consumption during pregnancy on fetal head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL). This study included 417 live-born singleton pregnancies prospectively followed-up since the antenatal period in the MINA-Brazil Study, with an available ultrasound scan at >24 gestational weeks. Frequency of food groups consumption in the previous month was categorised as no/monthly, weekly or daily. Ultrasound scans were conducted at 27 center dot 8 (sd: 1 center dot 7) gestational weeks. HC, AC and FL z-scores were calculated for gestational age using the INTERGROWTH-21st Project standards. Simultaneous-quantile regression models were fitted at the 10th, 50th and 90th percentiles of the distribution of each ultrasound parameter according to UPF consumption, with adjustment for potential confounders. Participants were aged on average 24 center dot 7 (sd: 6 center dot 5) years, 44 center dot 8 % were primiparous, and 26 center dot 9 % and 24 center dot 9 %, respectively, had weekly and daily UPF consumption. Compared with no/monthly intake, daily UPF consumption impaired HC across its distribution, with significant effect sizes varying from -0 center dot 24 to -0 center dot 40 z-score. Weekly UPF consumption decreased HC at the 90th percentile by -0 center dot 39 z-score (95 % CI: -0 center dot 78, -0 center dot 01) and FL at the 50th percentile by -0 center dot 32 z-score (95 % CI: -0 center dot 60, -0 center dot 04). No association was noted with AC. Frequency of UPF consumption was negatively associated with skeletal components of fetal growth in late pregnancy. Infant body composition may benefit from healthy food practices since pregnancy.