Researchers discovered that mothers who don’t eat enough protein may have changes in their baby’s genes that could lead to early birth. Scientists looked at DNA patterns in placentas and umbilical cord blood from babies born early compared to those born on time, studying families in Myanmar and Thailand. They found that low protein intake was linked to specific changes in how certain genes were turned on or off. These genetic changes affected genes involved in inflammation and development. This research suggests that getting enough protein during pregnancy might be important for preventing early birth, and these genetic markers could help doctors identify pregnancies at risk.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a mother’s protein intake during pregnancy affects her baby’s genes in ways that might cause early birth
  • Who participated: Pregnant women from Karen and Burmese populations in Myanmar and Thailand who had either early births or full-term births. The exact number of participants wasn’t specified in the abstract.
  • Key finding: Mothers with early births ate significantly less protein, and their babies showed specific changes in gene activity patterns. Low protein was linked to changes in genes called SSB and IGKV1D-39, which are involved in inflammation and immune function.
  • What it means for you: Getting enough protein during pregnancy may be important for reducing the risk of early birth. However, this is early research, and more studies are needed before doctors can use these genetic markers to predict or prevent early births.

The Research Details

This study compared two groups of pregnant women: those who had babies early (preterm birth) and those who had babies at the normal time (full-term birth). Researchers collected samples from the placenta (the organ that feeds the baby) and umbilical cord blood after birth. They then analyzed the DNA in these samples to look for chemical changes called methylation, which turn genes on and off without changing the actual DNA sequence itself. This type of change is called epigenetic modification. The researchers also looked at what the mothers ate during pregnancy, paying special attention to protein intake.

The study focused on specific populations in Myanmar and Thailand, which helps researchers understand if these findings apply to different ethnic groups. By comparing the genetic patterns between early births and normal births, they could identify which genes were affected differently and whether these differences were related to how much protein mothers ate.

This approach is valuable because it looks at a potential biological mechanism—the actual genetic changes—that might explain why low protein intake could lead to early birth, rather than just showing that the two are connected.

Understanding the biological pathway between nutrition and pregnancy outcomes is important because it could lead to better prevention strategies. If doctors can identify the specific genetic changes that predict early birth, they might be able to catch at-risk pregnancies earlier and intervene with nutritional support or other treatments. This research also helps explain why nutrition matters so much during pregnancy—it’s not just about the baby getting enough calories, but about how nutrients affect the basic instructions that control development.

The study was registered in a clinical trial database, which is a good sign of transparency. However, the abstract doesn’t provide the sample size, which makes it hard to judge how reliable the findings are. The research focused on specific populations, which is good for understanding these particular groups but means the results might not apply equally to all pregnant women. The researchers used established methods for analyzing gene methylation, which strengthens confidence in the technical findings.

What the Results Show

Mothers who had early births ate significantly less protein than mothers who had full-term births. When researchers looked at the babies’ genes, they found specific patterns of methylation (chemical changes that turn genes on or off) that were different between the two groups.

In the placenta, they found that a gene called LIPF had less methylation than expected. In the umbilical cord blood, a gene called SSB had more methylation than expected, and this extra methylation was linked to the gene being turned off (less active). The gene SSB is involved in how the body handles inflammation and immune responses.

When the researchers looked at which genes were affected, they found that the changes were concentrated in genes involved in inflammation, development, and how the body uses energy. Notably, genes involved in ’embryo development ending in birth’ were particularly affected in the cord blood samples. This suggests that protein deficiency may interfere with the normal genetic processes that prepare a baby for birth.

The research identified another gene called IGKV1D-39 that showed different methylation patterns in babies whose mothers had low protein intake. This gene is involved in immune function. The findings suggest that protein deficiency during pregnancy may affect multiple genes involved in immune system development and inflammatory responses, not just one or two genes. This broader pattern of changes suggests that protein plays a widespread role in controlling how genes are expressed during fetal development.

Previous research has shown that maternal nutrition affects pregnancy outcomes, but this study provides new insight into the specific genetic mechanisms involved. While other studies have linked low protein intake to poor pregnancy outcomes, this research goes deeper by identifying the actual changes in gene activity that might explain this connection. The focus on epigenetic changes (rather than changes to the DNA sequence itself) aligns with growing scientific understanding that nutrition can affect how genes work without changing the genes themselves.

The abstract doesn’t specify how many women participated in the study, making it difficult to assess how reliable the findings are. The research focused on specific ethnic populations in Myanmar and Thailand, so the results might not apply equally to all pregnant women worldwide. The study is observational, meaning researchers looked at what happened naturally rather than randomly assigning some women to eat more protein and others to eat less, so we can’t be completely certain that low protein caused the genetic changes rather than something else. The research identifies potential biomarkers but doesn’t yet prove that these genetic changes actually cause early birth or that fixing them would prevent it.

The Bottom Line

Pregnant women should aim to eat adequate protein as part of a balanced diet. While this research suggests protein is important for normal fetal development and preventing early birth, it’s one piece of evidence among many. Pregnant women should follow their doctor’s or midwife’s nutritional guidance, which typically recommends about 70 grams of protein daily during pregnancy. This research provides moderate evidence that protein intake matters, but more studies are needed before these specific genetic markers can be used clinically.

This research is most relevant to pregnant women, especially those at risk for early birth. Healthcare providers caring for pregnant women should be aware of this research as it adds to the evidence that maternal nutrition affects pregnancy outcomes. Women with a history of early birth or those in populations similar to the study group may find this particularly relevant. However, this research is still preliminary and shouldn’t replace standard prenatal care and nutritional guidance.

If a pregnant woman improves her protein intake based on this research, the benefits would likely develop gradually throughout pregnancy, as the fetal development process is ongoing. There’s no immediate effect to expect—the goal would be to support normal development and reduce the risk of early birth, which would be measured over weeks and months of pregnancy, not days.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily protein intake in grams, aiming for 70+ grams per day during pregnancy. Log protein sources at each meal (eggs, dairy, meat, beans, nuts) to ensure variety and consistency.
  • Set a daily reminder to include a protein source at each meal. For example: breakfast (eggs or yogurt), lunch (chicken or beans), snack (nuts or cheese), dinner (fish or lean meat). Use the app to log these and see weekly protein totals.
  • Monitor weekly protein intake averages rather than daily fluctuations. Track alongside other prenatal health metrics if available. Note any changes in pregnancy symptoms or energy levels, and share protein intake data with healthcare provider at prenatal visits to ensure adequacy.

This research is preliminary and should not replace medical advice from your doctor or midwife. While this study suggests that adequate protein intake during pregnancy may be important for preventing early birth, it does not prove that protein deficiency causes early birth or that increasing protein will prevent it. Pregnant women should follow their healthcare provider’s nutritional recommendations and discuss any concerns about protein intake or early birth risk with their medical team. If you are at risk for early birth or have had a previous early birth, speak with your healthcare provider about personalized nutrition and monitoring strategies. This research identifies potential biomarkers but these are not yet available for clinical use in predicting or preventing early birth.