(P27-085-25) Digestible Carbohydrate Intake and Maternal-Infant Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Objectives: Optimal nutrition supports pregnant people, prenatal growth, and development during infancy. Foods containing digestible carbohydrates are important sources of nutrients and energy at these life stages. This review was designed to identify and summarize the evidence on the relationships between digestible carbohydrate intake (DCI) during pregnancy and newborn size and development and gestational weight gain (GWG); and between infant DCI and infant growth, size, body composition from birth to 24 months of age. The results of this review will be used to inform updates to the Dietary Reference Intakes for the US and Canada.

Methods: Databases were searched for relevant publications from 2000 through December 2024; reference lists and responses to a Federal Register Notice request for information were reviewed. Using a priori specified inclusion and exclusion criteria, dual, independent review of abstracts and full-text articles were conducted. Risk of bias (ROB) and strength of evidence were assessed. Included studies were synthesized.

Results: Of 3,025 abstracts identified, 8 studies in 10 publications were included. One randomized controlled trial was rated low ROB; a second was rated high; three nonrandomized studies were rated moderate and three high ROB. Identified studies yielded low strength of evidence of no difference in infant weight, length, head circumference, or size at birth and in GWG given different levels of DCI during pregnancy. Evidence was insufficient to reach conclusions about the relationship between DCI by infants and growth outcomes and body mass index up to 24 months of age, and there was no evidence identified about the relationship between DCI and other body composition outcomes.

Conclusions: A small number of studies were identified resulting in findings of no associations between DCI during pregnancy, and GWG and infant size at birth. There was insufficient evidence to conclude the relationship between DCI during infancy and growth parameters and body composition up to 24 months of age. Most published studies did not quantify DCI and were not designed to answer this review’s key questions. Targeted rigorous research on this topic is required to answer the proposed key questions with confidence.

Funding Sources: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality