How Does Poor Maternal Nutrition Affect Fetal Development?
Poor maternal nutrition can have profound effects on fetal development. Inadequate intake of key nutrients such as folic acid, iron, and calcium can result in congenital anomalies, low birth weight, and preterm birth. Folic acid deficiency, for example, is linked to neural tube defects like spina bifida. Additionally, insufficient iron can lead to anemia in the mother, affecting oxygen transport to the fetus.
