Pregnancy nutrition stories

Sep 12, 2026

Multiple micronutrient supplements in pregnancy could reduce maternal deaths globally

New research shows that multiple micronutrient supplements during pregnancy significantly reduce the risk of maternal anaemia, stillbirth, and low birth weight. The supplements are beginning to be distributed in the countries with the highest maternal mortality rates.

Sep 12, 20261 source

Top claims

▪A modeling study across 25 low- and middle-income countries published in the British Medical Journal in May 2026 estimated that replacing iron and folic acid with multiple micronutrient supplements could prevent 3.5 million low-birthweight births and 186,000 stillbirths over five years
▪The World Health Organisation states that multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) in pregnancy reduce maternal anaemia at term by 12 percent compared to iron and folic acid alone
▪Feimata Russell of Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health reported that a working group found infant mortality was reduced by almost 30 percent in the first six months for anaemic mothers using multiple micronutrient supplements

Subtopics

Lifestyle, Wellness and Nutrition1 Maternal health1 Micronutrients1 Reproductive Health1 Supplementation1

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