A Preliminary Study of Clinical Practice and Prenatal Nutrition in Rural Kansas.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional survey
PubMed 35371391 · doi:10.17161/kjm.vol15.15803
What was done
A cross-sectional web-based survey was distributed to 44 rural Kansas clinics to evaluate physician implementation of prenatal nutrition guidelines, specifically regarding docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and choline supplementation.
What was found
Of 29 returned surveys, 21 were completed by physicians who provide obstetrical care. DHA was recommended by 3 of 21 physicians and choline by 0 of 21, compared to folic acid (16/21) and iron (14/21). Eleven gave patients a prescription for prenatal vitamins. Common reported barriers to nutritional counseling were limited resources and time constraints.
Why it matters
This paper identifies a gap in adopting newer prenatal nutritional recommendations for DHA and choline among rural obstetrical care providers.
Limits
The sample size is very small (n = 21 physicians who provide obstetrical care) and geographically restricted to rural Kansas. Findings rely on self-reported survey responses rather than objective patient outcome data or medical record audits.
Cited by
- context Surveys show that only 6% of doctors discuss choline with expectant mothers during pregnancy.