Effect of prenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation compared with iron and folic acid supplementation on size at birth and subsequent growth through 24 months of age: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Prenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS), in comparison to iron and folic acid supplementation (IFA), improves pregnancy outcomes, but less is known about their effect on infant growth. We conducted a systematic review of trials comparing maternal MMS to IFA and assessed the effect on infants’ anthropometric outcomes at birth, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of age. The study concluded that prenatal MMS improves size at birth and subsequent infant growth through 6 months of age but not thereafter. These results strengthen the evidence on MMS benefits beyond birth outcomes.