The Impact of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation on Hemoglobin Concentration in Pregnant and Neonatal Birth Wight

BACKGROUND: Anemia during pregnancy is a public health problem especially in developing countries and it is associated with maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes. Global data shows that 56% of pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries have anemia. Every year more than 20 million infants are born with low birth weight (LBW) worldwide. AIM: The objective of the study is to analyze the impact of Multi Micronutrients (MMN) supplementation on hemoglobin (Hb) levels of pregnant women and infant birth weight. METHODS: The databases used to obtain the literature were PubMed, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE, and PubMed Central. The keywords used were Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation, Hb, Pregnant, and Neonatal Birth Weight in studies published from 2010 to 2020. A total of 14 articles were used in this review. RESULTS: Seven articles obtained about the effects of MMN on Hb levels in pregnant women. Six studies support that MMN supplementation increases Hb levels or prevents pregnant women from anemia. One study showed a significant increase in serum ferritin One study reported ferritin levels in the MMN group, as well as the fe-folic acid group, did not experience a significant decrease. There is only one study that shows the opposite results, which the mean maternal Hb level significantly decreased during study, being the lowest in second trimester. Ferritin and serum iron levels were decreased at trimester one and two, also the zinc and Vitamin D levels declined. Seven articles show the effect of MMN supplementation on pregnancy outcomes is better than Fe-folic acid supplementation. This can be seen in the results reported from various studies that have been carried out, which are reduce the incidence of LBW, small for gestational age, and preterm labor. Stillbirths, and neural tube defect anomaly. CONCLUSION: Various empirical evidence that has been described in this paper confirms the plausibility that the provision of micronutrient supplementation in the periconceptional period is more important than only given during advanced pregnancy. MMN administration increases Hb levels in pregnant women and improves pregnancy outcomes.