title: Maternal nutrition and birth outcomes: effect of balanced protein-energy supplementation.
abstract: The nutritional status of a woman before and during pregnancy is important for a healthy pregnancy outcome. Maternal malnutrition is a key contributor to poor fetal growth, low birthweight (LBW) and short- and long-term infant morbidity and mortality. This review summarised the evidence on association of maternal nutrition with birth outcomes along with review of effects of balanced protein-energy supplementation during pregnancy. A literature search was conducted on PubMed, WHOLIS, PAHO and Cochrane library. Only intervention studies were considered for inclusion and data were combined by meta-analyses if available from more than one study. Sixteen intervention studies were included in the review. Pooled analysis showed a positive impact of balanced protein-energy supplementation on birthweight compared with control [mean difference 73 (g) [95% confidence interval (CI) 30, 117]]. This effect was more pronounced in undernourished women compared with adequately nourished women. Combined data from five studies showed a reduction of 32% in the risk of LBW in the intervention group compared with control [relative risk (RR) 0.68 [95% CI 0.51, 0.92]]. There was a reduction of 34% in the risk of small-for-gestational-age babies in the intervention compared with the control group [RR 0.66 [95% CI 0.49, 0.89]]. The risk of stillbirth was also reduced by 38% in the intervention group compared with control [RR 0.62 [95% CI 0.40, 0.98]]. In conclusion, balanced protein-energy supplementation is an effective intervention to reduce the prevalence of LBW and small-for-gestational-age births, especially in undernourished women.
authors: Division of Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors: Aamer
authors: A
authors: Imdad
authors: Zulfiqar A
authors: ZA
authors: Bhutta
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D004032:Diet / Q000379:methods; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D044342:Malnutrition; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins