HIV-negative pregnant women can also benefit from supplementation with multivitamins
Release date: 2008-01-11
Pregnant women who are HIV-negative can also gain significant benefits from taking multivitamin supplements. Low birth weight is defined as a baby weighing less than 2,500 grams (about 5.5 pounds) at birth. Globally, approximately two million low-weight babies are born each year, with over 95% of these cases occurring in developing countries. This condition not only increases the risk of infant mortality but can also lead to long-term issues such as growth delays and cognitive impairments. Moreover, children born with low birth weight may face a higher risk of chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease later in life.
A groundbreaking study published in the New England Journal of Medicine highlights that HIV-negative pregnant women who take multiple vitamins during pregnancy may significantly reduce the chances of giving birth to low-weight or premature infants. Researchers emphasize that a baby’s weight at birth depends on various factors, including the mother's overall health, nutritional status, and the presence of essential micronutrients. While many developing countries already include iron and folic acid in standard prenatal care, other vital nutrients may also play a crucial role in both maternal and fetal health, as well as in the development and survival of the newborn.
Previous research conducted by Dr. Fawzi in Tanzania showed that HIV-positive pregnant women who took multivitamins—including B-complex, C, and E—experienced fewer preterm births and lower rates of low birth weight and stillbirths. As a result, multivitamin supplementation is now part of routine prenatal care for HIV-positive mothers. Building on this, Dr. Fawzi and her team recently conducted the largest study to date focusing on HIV-negative women. A total of 8,468 pregnant women between 12 and 27 weeks gestation were randomly assigned to either a placebo group or a multivitamin group. All participants received iron and folic acid, while the intervention group also received additional B vitamins, vitamin C, and E. No extra vitamin A or zinc was given.
The study found that multivitamin supplementation reduced the incidence of low birth weight by 18% and preterm births by 23%. Researchers concluded that regardless of the mother’s HIV status, taking a multivitamin during pregnancy can improve both maternal and fetal health by boosting immunity and increasing hemoglobin levels. These findings suggest that multivitamin supplementation could be an important addition to prenatal care for all expectant mothers. ——Midi Medical Network
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