Nutrition in Pregnancy

A 28-year-old primigravida at 20 weeks of gestation presents to the antenatal clinic for routine checkup. She reports fatigue, dyspnea on exertion, and palpitations for the past 2 weeks. On examination, she appears pale, heart rate is 102/min, and blood pressure is 110/70 mmHg. Laboratory investigations reveal hemoglobin 8.2 g/dL, MCV 68 fL, serum ferritin 12 ng/mL, and serum iron 45 µg/dL. What is the most appropriate nutritional intervention for this patient?

A 32-year-old multigravida at 28 weeks of gestation attends the antenatal clinic. She is a strict vegetarian and reports poor dietary intake due to nausea and food aversions. Investigations show serum calcium 7.8 mg/dL (normal 8.5–10.5), serum phosphate 3.2 mg/dL (normal 2.5–4.5), alkaline phosphatase 95 IU/L, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D 18 ng/mL (normal >30 ng/mL). She has no clinical signs of tetany or seizures. What is the most appropriate management?

What is the recommended total weight gain during pregnancy for a woman with a pre-pregnancy BMI of 18.5–24.9 kg/m²?

Which micronutrient deficiency during pregnancy is most strongly associated with neural tube defects (NTDs)?

A 28-year-old primigravida at 20 weeks of gestation presents to the antenatal clinic for routine care. She reports a vegetarian diet consisting mainly of cereals, pulses, and limited dairy. Her hemoglobin is 9.8 g/dL (normal for pregnancy: >11 g/dL). Serum ferritin is low at 12 ng/mL. She denies any bleeding or gastrointestinal symptoms. What is the most appropriate nutritional intervention at this stage?