Agropoli

The Mediterranean diet, known for its plant-based foods, olive oil, and moderate wine consumption, is linked to longer life and lower risks of diseases like cardiovascular conditions, cancer, and obesity. Researchers are exploring how this diet might benefit pregnant women and influence fetal growth and newborn development through its anti-inflammatory effects and potential changes in gene regulation. This study aims to understand how following a Mediterranean diet during pregnancy affects maternal health, fetal growth, and infant development, focusing on underlying inflammatory and epigenetic mechanisms. The study will enroll 2000 pregnant women and their newborns from obstetrics units in the Neuromed Clinical Research Network. Women's dietary habits will be assessed multiple times during pregnancy using detailed questionnaires and real-time recording tools. Blood samples will be collected at three gestational stages (11-13, 20-22, and 30-32 weeks) to analyze inflammation and gene changes. Newborns' blood and saliva samples will be collected at birth to study epigenetic patterns. Pregnancy progress will be monitored with standard check-ups and ultrasounds, and fetal growth will be measured through specific ultrasound parameters. Participants will be followed from early pregnancy through delivery and up to 24 months after birth. Researchers will collect information on pregnancy complications, newborn health measures, and infant physical and neurocognitive development through assessments and questionnaires. The main outcomes include obstetric and perinatal complications within 9 months and detailed infant developmental milestones. This comprehensive approach aims to reveal how maternal diet influences health outcomes for both mother and child over time.