This study uses the most detailed approach to analysing existing trial data on multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS). Previous meta-analyses identified overall benefits of multiple micronutrient supplements in terms of birth size, but our findings show that specific subgroups experience mortality benefits, notably female neonates. Women with indicators of malnutrition during pregnancy who took multiple micronutrient supplements also had greater reductions in low birthweight, preterm, and small-for-gestational-age births. We found no evidence that multiple micronutrient supplements significantly increased the risk of stillbirth or neonatal, 6-month, or infant mortality, neither overall or in any of the 26 examined subgroups.
