Sidra Medicine research shows maternal diet shapes child health through epigenetics

QATAR—Sidra Medicine, a member of the Qatar Foundation, is advancing research into precision nutrition, with new studies showing how a mother’s diet during pregnancy may affect pregnancy outcomes and influence her child’s long-term health.

Researchers at Sidra Medicine’s Precision Nutrition Laboratory have published two studies examining how maternal nutrition affects fetal development through epigenetic changes.

These biological processes influence how genes function without changing the underlying DNA sequence.

Dr Annalisa Terranegra, Head of the Precision Nutrition Laboratory in the Translational Medicine Department at Sidra Medicine, said nutrition is among the earliest and most influential factors affecting human health.

She added that the research shows how a mother’s diet during pregnancy can leave measurable biological signatures that affect fetal development and potentially influence health throughout life.

Understanding these mechanisms, she said, could support personalised nutritional recommendations to reduce pregnancy complications and promote healthier outcomes for children.

Maternal diet linked to preterm birth

The first study, published in npj Science of Food, examined the relationship between maternal nutrition and preterm birth.

Researchers found that women who delivered prematurely consumed significantly lower amounts of protein, vitamins and essential minerals than those who carried their pregnancies to term.

The researchers also identified distinct epigenetic changes in the placenta and umbilical cord blood, particularly in genes involved in fetal development and immune function.

The findings suggest that inadequate protein intake during pregnancy may contribute to biological changes associated with a higher risk of preterm birth and could eventually help identify pregnancies at risk earlier.

Nutrition and gestational diabetes

The second study, published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, focused on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a common pregnancy complication worldwide.

Researchers found that women diagnosed with GDM consumed higher amounts of saturated fat and lower levels of vitamin D and folate than women with healthy pregnancies.

The study also identified widespread epigenetic changes in genes involved in insulin regulation and glucose metabolism, including ZFP57.

These findings indicate that maternal dietary patterns may influence a child’s future metabolic health and potentially affect susceptibility to chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes.

The research also highlights the potential benefits of early nutritional assessments and targeted dietary interventions for women at risk of GDM.

Expanding precision nutrition research

Sidra Medicine is also investigating how the type and quality of dietary fats consumed during pregnancy may affect early brain development and the future risk of neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Terranegra said the studies add to growing evidence supporting precision nutrition as an important component of maternal and child healthcare.

She noted that Sidra Medicine is expanding research into nutritional genomics, epigenetics and the microbiome to develop personalised approaches that improve pregnancy outcomes and promote healthier future generations.

Dr Ibrahim Mamoun Ibrahim, Senior Attending Physician, Endocrinology, and Lead for Diabetes in Pregnancy at Sidra Medicine, said GDM is one of the most common pregnancy complications but can be managed more effectively when women receive timely support.

He added that nutrition should be considered an integral part of medical care during pregnancy and that combining research with personalised nutritional guidance could improve pregnancy outcomes while reducing future metabolic disease risks.

The studies form part of Sidra Medicine’s broader Precision Nutrition initiative, which integrates research, clinical expertise and personalised care to develop evidence-based nutritional strategies for maternal and child health.