Peer-reviewed article
IMPACT OF MATERNAL NUTRITIONAL STATUS DURING PREGNANCY ON STUNTING RISK AMONG CHILDREN AGED 24-59 MONTHS
Zia Muhammad, Naheed Akhter, Madiha Iqbal, Ijaz Ahmad ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined how a mother's nutrition during pregnancy affects stunting (abnormally low height) in children aged 2-5 years in Pakistan. Researchers followed 150 mother-child pairs and found that 24% of children were stunted. Mothers who were undernourished during pregnancy, mothers who gave birth to low-weight babies, and families with food insecurity were all linked to higher rates of stunting in their children. The study suggests that improving maternal nutrition and household food access could help prevent stunting.
Key points
- Stunting prevalence was 24% among children aged 24-59 months in the study population
- Maternal undernutrition during pregnancy increased stunting risk 2.8 times
- Low birth weight increased stunting risk 2.5 times
- Inadequate dietary diversity and household food insecurity were also significant risk factors
- The study recommends interventions targeting maternal nutrition, infant feeding, and household food security
Limitations
This was an observational study without a comparison or control group, so it can only identify associations, not prove that maternal undernutrition directly causes stunting. The study was conducted at two hospitals in Pakistan, so findings may not represent all Pakistani children or other settings.
Abstract
Background: Stunting remains a major public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Maternal nutritional status during pregnancy is a key determinant of child growth and development, yet its impact on stunting risk among children aged 24–59 months is underexplored. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal nutritional status during pregnancy and the risk of stunting among children aged 24–59 months. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted at the Pediatrics Department and Gynecology & Obs Department of Khyber Teaching Hospital and Obs & Gynae Deptt.of Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar from January 2020 to December 2024. A total of 150 mother-child pairs were enrolled, with data collected on maternal nutrition, birth outcomes, and child growth at 24–59 months. Stunting was defined as height-for-age z-score (HAZ) <-2 SD. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of stunting. Results: The prevalence of stunting was 24% (n=36). Maternal undernutrition (aOR=2.8, p<0.001), low birth weight (aOR=2.5, p<0.01), inadequate dietary diversity (aOR=1.8, p=0.02), and household food insecurity (aOR=1.6, p=0.04) were significant predictors of stunting. Conclusion: Maternal nutritional status during pregnancy plays a criticaln role in determining stunting risk. Interventions targeting maternal nutrition, infant feeding practices, and household food security are essential to reduce stunting and improve child health outcomes.
Findings the Hub has extracted
Each claim below is labelled by its type of design and links back to this report.
- Intervention
- Improving maternal nutritional status during pregnancy, infant feeding practices, and household food security
- Population
- 150 mother-child pairs from two hospitals in Peshawar, Pakistan; children aged 24-59 months
Key finding
Maternal undernutrition during pregnancy was associated with 2.8-fold increased odds of stunting (aOR=2.8, p<0.001)