A recent review article was published in the Journal of Nutrition. In it, the authors state, "Micronutrient status in fetal and early life may alter metabolism, vasculature, and organ growth and function, leading to increased risk of cardiometabolic disorders, adiposity, altered kidney function, and, ultimately, to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases."
This means mom's nutrient deficits have potential to create long term harm in the child. By now, this kind of research shouldn't be surprising. Up until recently, most prenatal nutrition recommendations were relatively boiler-plate. Get enough folic acid to prevent neural tube defects and take a fish oil capsule. Some advised women to avoid fish due to mercury contamination and many experts even spend the effort to figure out how much coffee women can "get away with" without long term negative effects.
But rather than thinking about how "not to hurt" the developing child, it is time we focus on providing him/her the best chance for long term health and wellness.
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