Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Environmental Influences on Intelligence01:29

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children from...
Microenvironments01:22

Microenvironments

Microorganisms inhabit highly localized spaces known as microenvironments, which are defined by distinct physical and chemical characteristics. These include oxygen concentration, pH, temperature, light availability, and nutrient levels. The conditions within a microenvironment can differ markedly from those in the surrounding area and significantly influence microbial growth, metabolism, and community structure.Microenvironments often display sharp physicochemical gradients over small spatial...
Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience, such as differences...
Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Gestational weight gain and maternal immediate perinatal and postpartum outcomes in low and middle income countries: individual participant data meta-analyses.

BMJ medicine·2026
Same author

Untargeted and targeted fortified balanced energy-protein (BEP) dietary supplementation during pregnancy and birth outcomes: a cluster-randomised effectiveness trial in rural Bangladesh.

BMJ global health·2026
Same author

Impact of a Prenatal Nutrition Package with Balanced Energy Supplementation on Gestational Weight Gain in Amhara, Ethiopia.

The Journal of nutrition·2026
Same author

Exploring the interplay of family dynamics and pregnancy supplement adherence among married women of reproductive age: a qualitative study from rural Bangladesh.

BMJ open·2026
Same author

National and Sub-National Delivery of Balanced Energy and Protein (BEP) Supplements to Pregnant and Lactating Women in LMICs: Lessons from Multi-Country Implementation Case Studies.

Nutrients·2026
Same author

Trends and determinants of prelacteal feeding practice in rural Bangladesh from 2004 to 2019: A multivariate decomposition analysis.

PloS one·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Modifying Levels of Maternal Dietary Folic Acid or Choline to Study the Impact of Deficiencies on Offspring Health Outcomes
03:19

Modifying Levels of Maternal Dietary Folic Acid or Choline to Study the Impact of Deficiencies on Offspring Health Outcomes

Published on: June 28, 2024

Micronutrients, birth weight, and survival.

Parul Christian1

  • 1Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA. pchristi@jhsph.edu

Annual Review of Nutrition
|April 27, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Maternal micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy shows benefits, particularly iron. While multiple micronutrients may reduce low birth weight, they don't yet replace iron-folic acid's proven advantages for birth outcomes.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Modifying Levels of Maternal Dietary Folic Acid or Choline to Study the Impact of Deficiencies on Offspring Health Outcomes
03:19

Modifying Levels of Maternal Dietary Folic Acid or Choline to Study the Impact of Deficiencies on Offspring Health Outcomes

Published on: June 28, 2024

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Maternal micronutrient needs increase during pregnancy.
  • Deficiencies are common and impact birth outcomes.
  • Current recommendations focus only on iron and folic acid.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the evidence for antenatal micronutrient supplementation.
  • To compare the effects of single versus multiple micronutrient supplements.
  • To assess impacts on birth weight, gestational length, and infant survival.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
  • Comparison of multiple micronutrients versus iron-folic acid supplementation.
  • Analysis of data on birth weight, preterm birth, and perinatal/neonatal survival.

Main Results:

  • Iron supplementation improves birth weight and gestational length, and may reduce child mortality.
  • Multiple micronutrient supplementation showed an 11% reduction in low birth weight.
  • No significant effects were observed for preterm birth or neonatal survival with multiple micronutrients.

Conclusions:

  • Antenatal iron supplementation is strongly supported by evidence.
  • Current data do not support replacing iron-folic acid with multiple micronutrients.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the role of multiple micronutrients in pregnancy.