A Comprehensive Nutrition in Pregnancy Database: An Integrative Approach.

Abstract The University of Chicago has recently been designated a Clinical Nutrition Research Unit by the National Institute of Health. Chicago Lying-In Hospital, part of the University of Chicago Medical Center, currently handles about 3500 deliveries a year. In order to establish an adequate database for use in Lying-In Hospital, a comprehensive nutritional database has been developed as part of Lying-In's OBFILE computerized record system. Two programs, one to do nutritional analysis based on food recall, and another to record protocols and educational objectives for a particular patient, have been written. Minor adaptations in previously existing programs make possible input by the nutritionist into the problem list of the patient as well as access to all information on file for the patient, including patient profile, clinic visit and lab data, a list of problems, and eventual outcome.