Pregnant women in countries of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are at risk of poor
nutritional status and adverse outcomes as a result of poverty, food insecurity,
sub-optimal healthcare facilities, frequent infections and frequent pregnancies.
Studies from Nigeria, for example, have revealed a high prevalence of both
under- and over-nutrition, as well as nutrient deficiencies, including iron,
folate, vitamin D and vitamin A. Subsequently, obstetric complications, including
hypertension, anaemia, neural tube defects, night-blindness, low birth
weight and maternal and perinatal mortality, are common. Migration patterns
from SSA to the Western world are on the rise in recent years, with Nigerians
now representing the most prevalent immigrant African population in many
developed countries. However, the effect of immigration, if any, on the nutritional
status and pregnancy outcomes of these women in their host countries
has not yet been studied. Consequently, it is unknown to what extent the
nutritional deficiencies and pregnancy complications occurring in Nigeria, and
other countries of SSA, present in these women post-emigration. This may
result in missed opportunities for appropriate antenatal care of a potential
high-risk group in pregnancy. The present review discusses the literature
regarding nutrition in pregnancy among SSA women, using Nigeria as an
example, the common nutrition-related complications that arise and the subsequent
obstetric outcomes. The concept of dietary acculturation among immigrant
groups is also discussed and deficiencies in the literature regarding
studies on the diets of pregnant immigrant women are highlighted.