Association of Early Interventions With Birth Outcomes and Child Linear Growth in Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries

Study answer

What this study found

Overall, maternal and child nutritional interventions were associated with improved birth outcomes and linear growth, with pregnancy-based interventions generally showing stronger effects than interventions given later in life. Multiple micronutrients in pregnancy reduced preterm birth (OR 0.54, 0.27-0.97) and were associated with better child linear growth, including LAZ 0.20 (0.03-0.35) and HAZ 0.14 (0.02-0.25). Other pregnancy supplements also showed favorable associations, such as zinc for preterm birth (OR 0.53, 0.28-0.93), iron for preterm birth (OR 0.55, 0.31-0.90), and iron plus…

Study & population

Systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analyses of 169 trials in LMICs, with 302,061 participants randomized to 461 arms.

Intervention

This Bayesian network meta-analysis evaluated early-life nutrition and related interventions in LMICs, including multiple micronutrients, iron, folic acid, zinc, calcium, lipid-based nutrient supplements, fortified flour and local foods, formula, deworming, WASH, and maternal education.

Key limitation

The evidence combined many different interventions, doses, delivery periods, and outcomes, which increases heterogeneity and makes direct comparisons difficult.

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Original abstract