WITHDRAWN: High protein supplementation in pregnancy.
BACKGROUND
Background pending.


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. Date of last search: October 2001.


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.
Kramer
M S
MS
McGill University, Faculty of Medicine, 1020 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3A 1A2. michael.kramer@mcgill.ca
D004044:Dietary Proteins; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain
D004044:Dietary Proteins