Multiple micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy does not lead to greater infant birth size than does iron-only supplementation: a randomized controlled trial in a semirural community in Mexico.

Study answer

What this study found

Multiple micronutrient supplementation did not improve infant birth size compared with iron-only supplementation. Adjusted differences were small and not significant for birth weight, 16.1 ± 31 g (P = 0.60), birth length, -0.002 ± 0.151 cm (P = 0.99), and ponderal index, 0.014 ± 0.018 kg/cm3 (P = 0.42). The adjusted odds ratios also showed no benefit for low birth weight, 0.98 (95% CI: 0.55, 1.74), intrauterine growth restriction, 0.82 (95% CI: 0.49, 1.39), intrauterine small size, 0.96 (95% CI: 0.59, 1.57), or preterm delivery, 1.16 (95% CI: 0.60, 2.23). Mean birth weight was 2.981 ± 0.391…

Study & population

Randomized controlled trial in pregnant women from a semirural community near Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, recruited before 13 weeks of gestation and followed through delivery.

Intervention

Pregnant women in the active arm received a multiple micronutrient tablet containing vitamins A, D3, E, B1, B2, niacin, folic acid, B6, B12, C, zinc, iron, and magnesium.

Key limitation

There was substantial attrition before birth outcome analysis, with about one quarter of each arm lost to follow-up.

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Original abstract