Objectives: To systematically review the effect of supplementing various combinations and types of micronutrients on the course and outcomes of pregnancy.
Methods: Electronic search of Medline, Pub Med, Health Internetwork access to Research Initiative, and Google Scholar databases was conducted. Outcomes of interest were birth weight, low birth weight, small size for gestational age, prenatal mortality and neonatal mortality. After exclusion of irrelevant /incomplete ones, 17 out of
115 articles were considered for the final analysis.
Findings: Majority of the articles reviewed favored the supplementation of micronutrients to pregnant mother.
Some studies suggested calcium supplementation is associated with a significant protective benefit in the
prevention of pre-eclampsia. The remaining articles reviewed, showed significant benefit of Multiple Micronutrients
supplementation during pregnancy in reducing low birth weight, small for Gestational Age births as compared to
the usual iron-folate supplements.
Conclusions: Supplying micronutrients, mainly multiple micronutrients have beneficial effect in reducing the risk of
low birth weight and other complications. Further studies at various combination and doses of micronutrient
supplements are recommended.