Micronutrient Communication Gaps During Pregnancy Highlight Need for Better Guidance

A cross-sectional survey of pregnant women (n=132) and healthcare professionals (n=105) at a German tertiary care center (2024) identified significant differences in micronutrient knowledge, beliefs, and supplementation practices during pregnancy. Healthcare professionals demonstrated greater overall micronutrient knowledge, with the largest gap observed for vitamin B12, where 53% of pregnant women could not identify any fetal benefit versus 20% of providers (p<0.001). While perceptions of dietary adequacy were similar for folic acid and vitamin D, views differed substantially for vitamin B12. Marked discrepancies were also noted between patient-reported supplement use and provider-reported recommendations for vitamin B12, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and folic acid (all p<0.001). Pregnant women primarily relied on internet sources for information, whereas healthcare professionals used both scientific literature and professional online resources. The findings highlight persistent patient–provider gaps in micronutrient-related knowledge and practices, underscoring the need for more structured and consistent communication on prenatal supplementation.

Source : https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/12/1934