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

Abstract

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.