Effect of moringa leaves during pregnancy on growth and morbidity in 0---5 months

Objective: Moringa leaves (ML) has been proved as a nutrient supplement during pregnancy. This study was undertaken to assess the effect of ML on growth and morbidity of infant 0---5 mo of age. Method: This study was an intervention study. Subjects were originally pregnant mothers who were divided into three groups: group received ML powder (MLP, n = 111), group received ML extract (MLE, n = 107), and group received iron folic acid (IFA, n = 122). Each group received two capsules a day for 12 weeks during pregnancy and 4 weeks after giving birth. Growth and morbidity measurement were assessed each month during 5 mo period. Data was analyzed using Chi-squares. Results: Study showed that prevalence of under nutrition at the first sixth moths were 2.4%, 3.2%, 6.5%, 7.4%, 9.7%, and 7.9%,respectively for 0---5 mo. In addition,the prevalence of stunting were 3.2%, 9.7%, 20.0%, 24.7%, 19.6%, and 19.4%, respectively for 0---5 mo. The prevalence of wasting were 5.9%, 5.0%, 2.1%, 2.1%, 2.6%, 3.2% respectively for 0---5 mo. Not significantly different among groups in all parameters (p > 0.05). Upper respiratory infection was the most infection at the first 6 mo (2.06---4.2%). Conclusion: We conclude that ML tends to protect from under nutrition to the infant but not stunting.