Untargeted and targeted fortified balanced energy-protein (BEP) dietary supplementation during pregnancy and birth outcomes: a cluster-randomised effectiveness trial in rural Bangladesh

Antenatal balanced energy-protein (BEP) dietary supplementation is a WHO recommendation in undernourished settings, but limited evidence exists on targeting individuals based on nutritional status. We assessed the impact of untargeted and targeted fortified BEP supplementation during pregnancy on birth outcomes, compared with multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) as control. In this high burden Bangladeshi setting, antenatal supplementation with fortified BEP, untargeted or targeted, did not reduce fetal growth restriction and small size at birth when compared with MMS.