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Maternal, Perinatal, and Pediatric Nutrition

Category: Maternal, Perinatal, and Pediatric Nutrition (II) (Poster Session)

Maternal, Perinatal, and Pediatric Nutrition (II) (Poster Session)

(P37-14-26) Effects of Prenatal Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements on Birth Size: Does Quantity Matter?

Monday, July 27, 2026
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM ET
Location: Poster Board C-48
Disclosure(s):
Kathryn G. Dewey, PhD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


Objectives: To compare effects on birth size outcomes of prenatal lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS), vs. a) iron and folic acid (IFA) or standard of care (SOC) or b) multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS), between trials that provided small-quantity (SQ, < 125 kcal/d) or medium-quantity (MQ, 250-500 kcal/d) LNS.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of SQ-LNS or MQ-LNS provided to pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries. Birth size outcomes included weight, length and head circumference.

Results: In 4 trials of SQ-LNS vs IFA/SOC (total maximum n=5273), the pooled mean difference (95% confidence interval, CI) was +49 (26, 71) g for birth weight, +0.20 (0.10, 0.31) cm for birth length, and + 0.11 (0.04, 0.18) cm for head circumference. Similar effect sizes were observed in 5 trials of MQ-LNS vs IFA/SOC (total maximum n=4619): +52 (22, 83) g for birth weight, +0.28 (0.12, 0.44) cm for birth length, and +0.09 (-0.02, 0.20) cm for head circumference. In 2 trials of SQ-LNS vs MMS (total maximum n=1391), pooled effects were +28 (-19, 75) g for birth weight, +0.16 (-0.09, 0.40) cm for birth length, and +0.15 (-0.02, 0.31) cm for head circumference. In trials of MQ-LNS vs MMS, the pooled effect was +12 (-38, 61) g for birth weight (2 trials, total n=2640), + 0.40 (0.09, 0.71) cm for birth length (1 trial, n=1002), and -0.04 (-0.25, 0.17) cm for head circumference (1 trial, n=1019). Heterogeneity was low (I2 < 11%) for all of the above analyses that included more than 1 trial.

Conclusions: The effects of prenatal LNS, compared to IFA or SOC, on mean birth weight, length and head circumference were similar regardless of the quantity provided (SQ or MQ), judging by the substantial overlap in the 95% CIs. Further analyses will explore whether the extra energy provided by MQ-LNS contributes to greater maternal body weight and/or may not be fully consumed. There is insufficient evidence to draw conclusions regarding the effects of prenatal LNS (either SQ or MQ) compared to MMS.

Funding Sources: No external funding