Prenatal dietary supplementation of African women and birth-weight [Gambia].
1983
Prentice Andrew M. | Whitehead Roger G. | Watkinson Michael | Lamb William H. | Cole Tim J.
A study evaluated the effects of a dietary energy supplement, biscuits made from ground nuts (peanuts), given to pregnant Gambian women, on subsequent birth weight of their newborns. The supplement produced a mean net energy intake increment of 431 kcal/day. In the Gambian wet season, when food shortages resulted in the women being in a marked negative energy balance, the supplement improved birth weight by an average of 224 g and reduced low birth weights (below 2.5 kg) from 28.2 to 4.7%. In the dry season, when the women were in a positive energy balance (but having energy intakes at only 60% of the recommended allowance), the supplement produced no improvement in birth weight outcome. These results indicate an important need for identifying truly at-risk populations for prenatal supplementation in developing countries. (wz).
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