Effects of antenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation on birthweight and gestational duration in Nepal: double-blind, randomised controlled trial
Abstract
Neonatal mortality is the biggest contributor to global mortality of children younger than 5 years, and low birthweight is a crucial underlying factor. The authors tested the hypotheses that antenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation would increase infant birthweight and gestational duration.Results were interpreted as follows: In a poor community in Nepal, consumption of a daily supplement containing a recommended daily allowance of 15 micronutrients in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy was associated with increased birthweight when compared with a standard iron and folic acid preparation. The effects on perinatal morbidity and mortality need further comparisons between studies.
Citation
Osrin, D.; Vaidya, A.; Shrestha, Y.; Bahadur Baniya, R.; Manandhar, D.S.; Adhikari, R.K.; Filteau, S.; Tomkins, A.; de Costello, A.M. Effects of antenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation on birthweight and gestational duration in Nepal: double-blind, randomised controlled trial. Lancet (2005) 365 (9463) 955-962. [DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(05)71084-9]