Effect of food supplementation during the third trimester, on outcome of pregnancy

ABSTRACT

The effect of energy supplemention during pregnancy on outcome was assessed in a trial in Sanchaung Township, Yangon, Myanmar Women who were 26-28 weeks pregnant coming to the Sanchaung Health Centre for antenatal care were assigned to three study groups. Group I consisted of women who had normal weight-for-height according to gestational age. Group II and III consisted of women who were malnourished (< 80 percent weight-for height) pregnant women matched by age and parity. Group II was supplemented with 500 kcal/d during the third trimester, whereas Group III was unsupplemented. There was a positive correlation between socio-economic score and total caloric intake and protein intake per day. There was also a significant difference between supplemented and unsupplemented malnourished group. However, there was no significant difference between the normal and malnourished group with supplementation. Thus, energy supplementation for short duration, during the third trimester is sufficient of improve outcome of pregnancy as judged by birth weight, length and head circumference of infants.