A comparison between extract Moringa oleifera and iron tablet on prevention low birth weight in pregnant mothers in Makassar, Indonesia

Objective: Compare the effect of Moringa oleifera (MO) leaf extract and iron tablets on preg- nant women on low birth weight. Methods: This study used a Randomized Double-Blind design controlled by using a sample of non-anemic pregnant women. Birth weight was measured using a digital scale electrically after delivery. Analysis of data using two independent samples t-test. Results: Overall, there were no significant different between intervention and control group in terms of birth weight (3104.57 ± 52 vs. 3022.29 ± 53 g), birth length (48.06 ± 2.4 vs. 48.68 ± 2.6 cm), and head circumference (33.72 ± 1.50 vs. 33.55 ± 1.47 cm). The number of low birth weight infants in the intervention group of 8.6% and 11.4% of control. There is no difference in birth weight between the intervention with the control group (p = 0.365). Conclusion: M. oleifera (MO) leaf extract supplement has similar effect to iron folate supple- ment in terms of low birth weight incidence. It is recommended for the government to use MO supplement, as local source supplement, replacing iron-folic supplement in improving preg-nancy outcomes. A further study is necessary to see the effect of MO supplement to other pregnancy outcomes, including maternal and child mortality.