This advocacy brief explains the benefits of multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) and why this intervention for pregnant women is one of the best bets in global development.

Poor nutrition during pregnancy can lead to adverse birth outcomes including low birth weight (LBW). This modular systematic review aimed to provide evidence for the effects of seven antenatal nutritional interventions on the risks of LBW, preterm birth (PTB), small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and stillbirth (SB). We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and CINAHL Complete between April and June 2020, with a further update in September 2022 (Embase only). We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and reviews of RCTs to estimate the effect sizes of the selected interventions on the four birth outcomes. Evidence suggests that balanced protein and energy (BPE) supplementation for pregnant women with undernutrition can reduce the risk of LBW, SGA and SB. Evidence from low and lower middle-income countries (MIC) suggests that multiple micronutrient (MMN) supplementation can reduce the risk of LBW and SGA in comparison with iron or iron and folic acid supplementation and lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) with any quantity of energy can reduce the risk of LBW in comparison with MMN supplementation. Evidence from high and upper MIC suggests that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids (O3FA) can reduce the risk and supplementation with high-dose calcium might possibly reduce the risk of LBW and PTB. Antenatal dietary education programs might possibly reduce the risk of LBW in comparison with standard-of-care. No RCTs were identified for monitoring weight gain followed by interventions to support weight gain in women who are underweight. Provision of BPE, MMN and LNS to pregnant women in populations with undernutrition can reduce the risk of LBW and related outcomes.

Evidence suggests that multiple micronutrient and balanced energy protein (BEP) supplementation during pregnancy can decrease the risk of stillbirth and small‐for‐ gestational‐age births and increase birth weight. We conducted a mixed‐methods formative research study to identify the most acceptable among a range of 11 candidates fortified BEP supplements for use in pregnancy and lactation in a rural district in Nepal. This study provides valuable insights into our understanding of women’s acceptance of different BEP supplements during pregnancy in rural Nepal and has helped identify the two most accepted BEP supplements to be used in a two‐month home trial to assess utilisation and compliance in this setting.

This document provides answers to key questions about Balanced Energy and Protein (BEP) Dietary Supplementation During Pregnancy.

This interview was taken at the Second Africa Maternal Nutrition and Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya in October 2024. Samson Desie, Nutrition Program Manager and Early Childhood Development Coordinator, UNICEF shares insights to the state of maternal nutrition and introduction of MMS in Rwanda.

This interview taken at the Second Africa Maternal Nutrition and Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya in October 2024. Phoster Kachali, Deputy Director Nutrition (Treatment and Care) at the Ministry of Health shares insights to the state of maternal nutrition and introduction of MMS in Malawi.

This interview was taken at the Second Africa Maternal Nutrition and Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya in October 2024. Julia Rotich, from the Micronutrient Deficiency Prevention and Control Program – Division of Nutrition and Dietetics at the Ministry of Health shares insights to the state of maternal nutrition and introduction of MMS in Kenya.

This interview was taken at the Second Africa Maternal Nutrition and Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya in October 2024. Veronica Quartey, the Micronutrient Deficiency Prevention and Control Program Lead at the Ghana Health Services, Ministry of Health shares insights to the state of maternal nutrition and introduction of MMS in Ghana.

This interview was taken at the Second Africa Maternal Nutrition and Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya in October 2024. Kidist Woldesenbet, the Lead Developmental Nutrition in charge of MMS at the Federal Ministry of Health shares insights into the state of maternal nutrition and the introduction and scale-up of MMS in Ethiopia.

This fact sheet, translated in Portuguese summarizes what Balanced energy and protein (BEP) dietary supplementation is and the evidence on its benefits. Providing BEP dietary supplementation to pregnant women offers a safe and effective way to provide additional energy and nutrients to meet the increased demands of pregnancy, particularly in food-insecure settings where access to healthy diets and antenatal care services is limited.