PLoS Medicine (May 2022)

Prenatal fortified balanced energy-protein supplementation and birth outcomes in rural Burkina Faso: A randomized controlled efficacy trial.

  • Brenda de Kok,
  • Laeticia Celine Toe,
  • Giles Hanley-Cook,
  • Alemayehu Argaw,
  • Moctar Ouédraogo,
  • Anderson Compaoré,
  • Katrien Vanslambrouck,
  • Trenton Dailey-Chwalibóg,
  • Rasmané Ganaba,
  • Patrick Kolsteren,
  • Lieven Huybregts,
  • Carl Lachat

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1004002
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 19, no. 5
p. e1004002

Abstract

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BackgroundProviding balanced energy-protein (BEP) supplements is a promising intervention to improve birth outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs); however, evidence is limited. We aimed to assess the efficacy of fortified BEP supplementation during pregnancy to improve birth outcomes, as compared to iron-folic acid (IFA) tablets, the standard of care.Methods and findingsWe conducted an individually randomized controlled efficacy trial (MIcronutriments pour la SAnté de la Mère et de l'Enfant [MISAME]-III) in 6 health center catchment areas in rural Burkina Faso. Pregnant women, aged 15 to 40 years with gestational age (GA) ConclusionsThe MISAME-III trial did not provide evidence that fortified BEP supplementation is efficacious in reducing SGA prevalence. However, the intervention had a small positive effect on other birth outcomes. Additional maternal and biochemical outcomes need to be investigated to provide further evidence on the overall clinical relevance of BEP supplementation.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03533712.