Determination of Protein Requirements in Pregnancy

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Protein is an essential part of our diet. It is used to build muscle and body tissue, send signals throughout our body and to support the immune system. Dietary protein is even more crucial during pregnancy as it is needed for healthy growth and development of the baby. There is very minimal data available on how much additional protein is required during pregnancy. Current recommendations are based on older techniques such as nitrogen balance studies of non-pregnant adults and minimally based on pregnancy specific data. There is no scientific information regarding the amount of protein needed during different stages of pregnancy. The investigators hypothesize that the current recommendations of protein intake during pregnancy are underestimated. The goal of this study is to measure protein requirement in healthy pregnant women (19-35y)using a more quick and modern technique called the indicator amino acid oxidation technique (IAAO).

Official Title
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Determination of Protein Requirements in Healthy Pregnant Women Using Indicator Amino Acid Oxidation Technique

Conditions
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Pregnancy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: Protein Intake


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria:Healthy pregnant women Singleton pregnancy Maternal age 19-35y In good health (free of chronic/acute disease,full range of physical mobility) Healthy pre-pregnancy body mass index Exclusion Criteria:Women not pregnant Pregnant with more than one child Singleton pregnancy outside the age range of 19-35y Not in good health or have a metabolic, neurological, genetic, or immune disorder, including gestational diabetes or anemia smoke or consume alcohol during their pregnancy classified as underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), overweight (25-30 kg/m2) or obese (>30 kg/m2) allergic to eggs and egg protein severe nausea/vomiting throughout their pregnancy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 19 Years
Maximum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Protein Intake<br>Dietary supplement:Protein intake | Dietary Supplement: Protein Intake<br>* Oral consumption of Eight hourly experimental meals- Includes 4 tracer-free experimental meals containing a mixture of free amino acids, calories from a flavored liquid and protein free cookies and 4- labeled amino acid experimental meals.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 13 Carbon dioxide production | Urine and breath samples will be collected during the study to measure the rate of oxidation of tracer in expired breath and flux by enrichment in urine. | 8 hours (1 study day) | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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pregnancy, protein requirements, Indicator Amino acid oxidation, Stable isotopes