Maternal nutritional factors: significance for the fetus and the neonate.

The nutrition of the gestating woman and of the lactating mother has always been a matter of concern and is frequently the object of pharmacological supplementation. During gestation and lactation, nutritional requirements undergo considerable changes. Studies based on nutritional surveys have shown that the diet of the gestating woman in Spain is deficient mainly in iron, folates, zinc and pyridoxin, with an excessive proportion of lipids. These nutritional habits change during gestation, particularly in the final months. The consumption of milk, particularly of semi-skimmed milk, has increased since 1989. Although pharmacological supplements may not be a valid alternative for all situations, they would be applicable in situations of high nutritional risk when the dietary contribution is insufficient. For the rest of the population, it is only necessary to obtain a supplement from a diet suitably enriched with vitamins and minerals.