All India Congress of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 04–08 Jan 2009 · Birla Auditorium, Jaipur

Tt has long been recognized that pregnancy increases a woman's need for protein, vitamins and minerals. Some reports suggest that the usual dietary intake of certain nutrients is inadequate to meet the needs of pregnant women, and may suggest that supplemental intake of one or more nutrients might be desirable. Today markets are flooded with many type of nutrient supplements which force us to consider the following questions: •For which nutrients is it reasonable to expect that food alone will provide adequate intake? •For which nutrients, if any, is supplementary intake from pharmaceutical preparations desirable? •If supplementation is recommended or practiced, what level is appropriate?