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High protein supplementation in pregnancy.
1Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, 1020 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3A 1A2. mikek@epid.lan.mcgill.ca
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|May 5, 2000
Summary
High-protein supplements in pregnancy did not show benefits for fetal growth and had a nonsignificant increase in neonatal death risk. More research is needed to evaluate their use during pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Nutritional Science
- Perinatal Medicine
Background:
- Maternal nutrition significantly impacts pregnancy outcomes.
- High-protein supplements are explored to optimize fetal development and maternal health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of high-protein nutritional supplements on pregnant women.
- Assessed effects on gestational weight gain, fetal growth, and maternal/fetal morbidity and mortality.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of controlled trials from the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group register.
- Included studies with protein/energy supplementation where protein provided >25% of total energy.
- Data extracted from published reports and trialist communications.
Main Results:
- Two trials with 1076 women were analyzed.
- High-protein supplementation showed a small, nonsignificant increase in maternal weight gain.
- No evidence of benefit for fetal growth; a slight decrease in birth weight was observed (-58.4g).
- One trial indicated a nonsignificant increase in neonatal death risk.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence is insufficient to recommend high-protein supplementation in pregnancy.
- Further research is required to determine the safety and efficacy of these supplements.