Effect of multiple micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy on maternal and birth outcomes
Citation: Haider B.A., Yakoob M.Y., & Bhutta Z.A. Effect of multiple micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy on maternal and birth outcomes. BMC Public Health, 2011;11(3):1-9
This review provides evidence of a significant benefit of multiple micronutrient (MMN) supplementation during pregnancy on reducing small-for-gestational age (SGA) births as compared to iron-folate, with no significant increase in the risk of neonatal mortality in populations where skilled birth care is available and majority of births take place in facilities.
Micronutrient deficiency is prevalent in developing countries, especially in the cases of mothers and infants. This review aimed to assess MMN supplementation during pregnancy in comparison to iron-folate alone, in improving maternal complications, SGA births, low birth weight, stillbirths, perinatal and neonatal mortality. Seventeen studies were included in this review and were assessed for quality and data abstraction. Results showed a significant reduction in SGA using MMN supplementation compared to iron-folate. No significant benefit was found for maternal anemia. Overall there was no increase in the risk of neonatal mortality from using MMN over iron-folate.
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