Energy and protein supplementation during pregnancy

The nutritional status of women prior to and during pregnancy plays a key role in fetal growth and development. Providing food supplements to undernourished pregnant women may help their babies to grow and thrive.

Reviews of the most recent evidence conclude that giving nutritional advice and balanced energy and protein supplements to pregnant women can improve fetal growth and may reduce the risk of fetal and neonatal death. High-protein supplements for pregnant women are unlikely to be beneficial and may be harmful to the fetus.