Effect of balanced protein-energy supplementation given to pregnant women on birth outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

There is an increased demand for nutrition during pregnancy to improve fetal growth and development. Several dietary interventions have been recommended to pregnant women to meet their maternal needs. Using a larger sample size, we aim to assess the effect of balanced protein-energy supplementation given to pregnant women on birth outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of balanced protein-energy supplementation given to pregnant women on birth outcomes.

DESIGN

Search included PubMed, Cochrane Central, and Embase from initiation till 20 March 2023 to select relevant studies examining perinatal factors associated with balanced protein-energy supplementation. Mean differences (MD) and risk ratios (RRs) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using Review Manager.

DATA SOURCES AND METHODS

Randomized controlled trials and observational studies were included. Out of 218,720 studies initially identified, 24 met the inclusion criteria, involving pregnant women who received balanced protein-energy supplementation and reported outcomes related to perinatal death, birthweight, length, or head circumference.

RESULTS

Meta-analysis of pooled studies revealed that balanced protein supplementation had a significant effect on birthweight (g) (MD: 62.67, CI: 27.92-97.43), low birth weight (LBW) (RR: 0.73, CI: 0.57-0.95), birth length (MD: 0.20, CI: 0.10-0.30), and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) babies (RR: 0.74, CI: 0.59-0.93) and had no significant effect on the birth head circumference (MD: 0.05, CI: -0.09 to 0.20), perinatal death (RR: 0.83, CI: 0.50-1.37), and preterm birth (RR: 0.86, CI: 0.68-1.08).

CONCLUSION

Balanced protein-energy supplementation is an effective intervention for birth length, birth weight, risk of LBW, and SGA births, particularly in women who are undernourished.