The Knowledge Hub brings together existing knowledge, guidance, tools, and other useful resources related to women’s nutrition, maternal nutrition, and evidence-based interventions targeting women, such as prenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS).
The Knowledge Hub is a dynamic, publicly accessible repository. It will be expanded and further improved over time, and we ask for your help in this. Please share any resources that you believe should be included in this Knowledge Hub, and send them to [email protected].
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Key scientific articles on evidence related to MMS.
MMS during pregnancy – Cochrane Review 2019
IPD Analysis on benefits of MMS – 2017
Maternal and Child Undernutrition Progress – The Lancet Series
Top policy briefs and guides for advocating for maternal nutrition and MMS.
FAQ and Advocacy Brief on MMS in WHO’s EML
Useful tools for introducing MMS in countries.
Interim Country-level Decision-making Guidance for Introducing MMS
Formative Research in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Tanzania and Madagascar.
There is growing evidence that the provision of nutritious supplemental foods to undernourished pregnant women can improve maternal and infant outcomes. However, comparing and synthesizing the evidence base is complicated by differences in interventions and products and the use of ambiguous terminology. This study aimed to define 2 common types of nutritious supplemental foods used in pregnancy, balanced energy-protein (BEP) supplements and lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS), and to review the evidence supporting each via a narrative review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMAs). Information about the nutritional composition of the food supplements and their effects on maternal and infant outcomes were abstracted. Overall, maternal BEP improved birth weight and reduced the risk of stillbirth and small for gestational age when compared with no BEP/control in pregnancy. The LNS interventions comprised small- and large- quantity LNS that ranged in calories (118-746 kcals), protein (3-21 g), fat (10-53 g), and micronutrient content. LNS compared with IFA increased pregnancy duration, birth weight, and birth length and reduced the risk of small for gestational age and infant stunting; however, no beneficial effect of LNS was identified when compared with MMN. Despite heterogeneity in the nutritional composition of BEP supplements, the evidence suggests that in nutritionally at-risk populations, these products may improve birth outcomes in pregnant women. The evidence is limited but promising when LNS is compared with IFA in improving maternal and infant outcomes.
The WHO provides Madagascar’s health planning cycles, health programmatic/project timelines and information on key partners. The paper builds on the progress achieved by the country, presenting ongoing challenges faced and the approaches the Government is taking to address the same. Important files and documents for the country availed.
The WHO provides Cameroon’s health planning cycles, health programmatic/project timelines and information on key partners. The paper builds on the progress achieved by Cameroon, presenting ongoing challenges faced and the approaches the Government is taking to address the same. Important files and documents for the country availed.
The WHO provides Indonesia’s health planning cycles, health programmatic/project timelines and information on key partners. The paper builds on the progress achieved by Indonesia, presenting ongoing challenges faced and the approaches the Government is taking to address the same. Important files and documents for the country availed.
The WHO provides Nepal’s health planning cycles, health programmatic/project timelines and information on key partners. The paper builds on the progress achieved by Nepal, presenting ongoing challenges faced and the approaches the Government is taking to address the same. Important files and documents for the country availed.
The WHO provides Kenya’s health planning cycles, programmatic/project timelines and information on key partners. The paper builds on the progress achieved by Kenya and presents ongoing challenges faced and the approaches the Government is taking to address the same including important files and documents for the country.
The WHO provides Nigeria’s health planning cycles, health programmatic/project timelines and information on key partners. The paper builds on the progress achieved by Nigeria, presenting ongoing challenges faced and the approaches the Government is taking to address the same. Important country files and documents availed.
The WHO provides Ethiopia’s health planning cycles, health programmatic/project timelines and information on key partners. The paper builds on the progress achieved by Ethiopia and presents ongoing challenges faced and the approaches the Government is taking to address the same including important files and documents for the country.
This guideline by the World Health Organization provides updated, clear, evidence-based normative information on the use of haemoglobin concentrations to access anaemia, and best approaches in its measurement in individuals and populations
This modelling tool (the MMS cost-benefit tool) developed by Nutrition International provides users with a clear understanding of the cost value of antenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) against iron and folic acid supplementation (IFAS) during pregnancy.