THE DEVELOPING INFANT BRAIN NEEDS IMPORTANT NUTRIENTS LIKE DHA, CHOLINE, LUTEIN, AND ZEAXANTHIN--WHICH ALL COME FROM THE MOTHER'S DIET DURING PREGNANCY. UNFORTUNATELY, MANY PREGNANT WOMEN DON'T GET ENOUGH OF THESE NUTRIENTS FROM FOOD OR PRENATAL VITAMINS ALONE. EGGS, ESPECIALLY THE YOLKS, ARE ONE OF THE BEST NATURAL SOURCES OF CHOLINE, A KEY NUTRIENT FOR BRAIN DEVELOPMENT. IN FACT, WOMEN WHO EAT EGGS DAILY ARE MORE LIKELY TO MEET THE RECOMMENDED AMOUNT OF CHOLINE DURING PREGNANCY.THIS NEW STUDY WILL EXPLORE WHETHER REGULARLY EATING EGGS DURING PREGNANCY IMPROVES BRAIN DEVELOPMENT IN BABIES. PREGNANT WOMEN BETWEEN 12 AND 20 WEEKS WILL BE PLACED IN ONE OF TWO GROUPS: ONE GROUP WILL RECEIVE GUIDANCE ON EATING 10-14 EGGS A WEEK (EGG GROUP), WHILE THE OTHER GROUP WILL RECEIVE GENERAL PRENATAL NUTRITION ADVICE (HPD GROUP) WITHOUT A SPECIAL FOCUS ON EGGS. BOTH GROUPS WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE A DHA SUPPLEMENT, AND THEIR NUTRIENT INTAKE WILL BE TRACKED.RESEARCHERS WILL MEASURE THE BABY'S NERVOUS SYSTEM ACTIVITY BEFORE AND AFTER BIRTH AND BRAIN ACTIVITY AFTER BIRTH TO SEE HOW DIET AFFECTS DEVELOPMENT. SINCE EGGS ARE AFFORDABLE, EASY TO FIND, AND NUTRIENT-RICH, THIS STUDY COULD HELP SHAPE FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHAT TO EAT DURING PREGNANCY. THE PROJECT IS BEING SUBMITTED AS PART OF A FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FROM THE AMERICAN EGG BOARD, WHICH SUPPORTS RESEARCH ON HOW EGG INTAKE IMPACTS INFANT BRAIN DEVELOPMENT.