title: High protein supplementation in pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effects of providing pregnant women with high-protein nutritional supplements on gestational weight gain and on the outcome of pregnancy, including fetal growth, gestational duration, and maternal and fetal/infant morbidity and mortality.
  
  
  METHODS
  The register of clinical trials maintained and updated by the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group.
  
  
  METHODS
  All acceptably controlled comparisons of protein/energy supplementation in which the protein content of the supplement provided >25% of its total energy content.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were extracted by the author from published reports, and supplemented by additional information from trialists contacted by the author.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two studies involving 1076 women were included. High protein supplementation was associated with a small, statistically nonsignificant increase in weekly maternal weight gain. The two available trials provide no evidence of benefit on fetal growth; indeed, the adjusted mean difference in birth weight is -58. 4 g. One trial also reported a nonsignificantly increased risk of neonatal death with high-protein supplementation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is not enough evidence to evaluate the use of high protein supplementation in pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, 1020 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3A 1A2. mikek@epid.lan.mcgill.ca
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kramer
mesh_terms: D004044:Dietary Proteins; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins