Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2000;2003(2):CD000148.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD000148.

Maternal nutrient supplementation for suspected impaired fetal growth

A M Gülmezoglu  1 , G J Hofmeyr
Affiliations

Maternal nutrient supplementation for suspected impaired fetal growth

A M Gülmezoglu et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000.

Update in

Abstract

Background: One way of attempting to improve fetal growth has been nutrient supplementation for the mother when fetal growth is impaired. Different nutrients such as carbohydrates and amino acids have been suggested as treatments for impaired fetal growth.

Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of nutrient administration for suspected fetal growth impairment on fetal growth and perinatal outcome.

Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. Date of last search: December 1999.

Selection criteria: Acceptably controlled trials of nutrient administration for suspected impaired fetal growth compared to placebo or no treatment.

Data collection and analysis: Trial quality was assessed.

Main results: Three studies involving 121 women were included. They were small and/or had methodological limitations. No difference was detected in the number of small for gestational age infants whose mothers had received nutrients compared to those who did not (relative risk for calf blood extract 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20 to 1.47; for glucose 1.11, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.92; for galactose 0.78, 95% CI 0.39 to 1.54.

Reviewer's conclusions: There is not enough evidence to evaluate the use of nutrient therapy for suspected impaired fetal growth. The studies were too small to detect any rare adverse effects.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

None known.

Figures

1.1
1.1. Analysis
Comparison 1 Calf blood extract versus placebo, Outcome 1 Low weight for gestational age (< 5th centile).
1.2
1.2. Analysis
Comparison 1 Calf blood extract versus placebo, Outcome 2 Perinatal mortality.
2.1
2.1. Analysis
Comparison 2 Carnitine versus no treatment, Outcome 1 Pregnancy duration after enrolment (weeks).
2.2
2.2. Analysis
Comparison 2 Carnitine versus no treatment, Outcome 2 Gestational age at delivery.
2.3
2.3. Analysis
Comparison 2 Carnitine versus no treatment, Outcome 3 Operative delivery.
2.4
2.4. Analysis
Comparison 2 Carnitine versus no treatment, Outcome 4 Birthweight (g).
2.5
2.5. Analysis
Comparison 2 Carnitine versus no treatment, Outcome 5 Birthweight centile.
2.6
2.6. Analysis
Comparison 2 Carnitine versus no treatment, Outcome 6 Apgar score 1 minute.
3.1
3.1. Analysis
Comparison 3 Glucose versus bed rest, Outcome 1 Small‐for‐gestational age (birthweight < 10th centile).
4.1
4.1. Analysis
Comparison 4 Galactose versus bed rest, Outcome 1 Small‐for‐gestational age (birthweight < 10th centile).
5.1
5.1. Analysis
Comparison 5 Intra‐amniotic versus intravenous administration of amino acids, Outcome 1 Birthweight.
5.2
5.2. Analysis
Comparison 5 Intra‐amniotic versus intravenous administration of amino acids, Outcome 2 Femur length.
5.3
5.3. Analysis
Comparison 5 Intra‐amniotic versus intravenous administration of amino acids, Outcome 3 Biparietal diameter.
5.4
5.4. Analysis
Comparison 5 Intra‐amniotic versus intravenous administration of amino acids, Outcome 4 Abdominal circumference.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

References to studies included in this review

Chen 2005 {published data only}
    1. Chen H, Wang X, Liu H, Wang T. Maternal blood and amniotic fluid insulin‐like growth factor detection and amniotic cavity drug delivery for early diagnosis and management of fetal growth restriction. Journal of the First Military Medical University 2005;25(9):1158‐60. - PubMed
Genger 1988 {published data only}
    1. Genger H, Enzelsberger H, Salzer H. Carnitine treatment for placental insufficiency ‐ initial experience [Carnitin als Therapie der Plazentainsuffizienz ‐ Erste Erfahrungen]. Zeitschrift fur Geburtshilfe und Perinatologie 1988;92:155‐7. - PubMed
Herre 1976 {published data only}
    1. Herre HD, Kyank H, Adomssent S, Wilken HP. Effect of the protein‐free calf‐blood extract (Solcoseryl) on the excretion of oestrogens in chronic placental insufficiency [Einfluss eines proteinfreien Kaelberblutextraktes (Solcoseryl) auf die Oestrogenausscheidung bei chronischer Plazentainsuffizienz]. Zentralblatt fur Gynakologie 1976;98:212‐6. - PubMed
Viehweg 1987 {published data only}
    1. Ruckhaberle Von K‐E, Petzold J, Viehweg B, Ruckhaberle B, Robel R, Langanke D, et al. Therapeutic efforts and prenatal modification of selected disordered fetomaternal relations [Therapeutische bemühungen um praepartale beeinflussung ausgewaehlter gestoerter fetomaternaler beziehungen]. Zentralblatt fur Gynakologie 1985;107:803‐11. - PubMed
    1. Viehweg B, Ruckhaberle K‐E, Zimmermann G, Beyreiss K, Petzold J, Forberg J. For the treatment of suspected intrauterine fetal growth retardation [Zur therapie bei verdacht auf intrauterine fetale retardierung]. Zentralblatt fur Gynakologie 1987;109:818‐29. - PubMed

References to studies excluded from this review

Bernaschek 1984 {published data only}
    1. Bernaschek G, Spernol R, Schaller A. The effect of calf blood dialysate on the excretion of estriol in placental insufficiency. Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift 1984;96:279‐82. - PubMed
Biswas 2006 {published data only}
    1. Biswas B. Effect of glutamine supplementation on prevention and management of idiopathic foetal growth restriction [abstract]. 49th All India Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; 2006 Jan 6‐9; Cochin, Kerala State, India. 2006:37.
Chang 1977 {published data only}
    1. Chang A, Abell D, Beischer N, Wood C. Trial of intravenous therapy in women with low urinary estriol secretion. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 1977;127:793‐7. - PubMed
Chimura 1982 {published data only}
    1. Chimura T, Funayama T, Mitsui T, Kaneko N. Effect of infusion therapy on intrauterine fetal growth retardation. Acta Obstetrica et Gynaecologica Japonica 1982;34:551‐8. - PubMed
Guo 2002 {published data only}
    1. Guo XY, Lei HZ, Weng SW, Jing Y, Tong XT. Clinical study of L‐arginine in treating intrauterine growth retardation of fetus. Guangdong Medical Journal 2002;23(8):864‐5. [CN‐00445600]
Huang 1999 {published data only}
    1. Huang G, Shu Y, Wangyun Y. Clinical study on effect of Chinese herbal medicine for supplementing kidney and qi and activating blood circulation in treating intrauterine growth retardation of fetus. Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih 1999;19:466‐9. - PubMed
Ling 1996 {published data only}
    1. Ling CD, Zhang ZJ, Chen ZL. Studies on nutritional effects of traditional Chinese tonics with strengthened nutrients on pregnant women and rats. Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih 1996;16(5):270‐3. - PubMed
Mesaki 1980 {published data only}
    1. Mesaki N, Kubo T, Iwasaki H. A study of the treatment for intrauterine growth retardation. Acta Obstetrica et Gynaecologica Japonica 1980;32:879‐85. - PubMed
Pavlovich 1999 {published data only}
    1. Pavlovich SV, Burlev VA, Vikhliaeva EM. The effect of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on the lipid spectrum indices in the 2nd‐3rd pregnancy trimesters. Eksperimentalnaia i Klinicheskaia Farmakologiia 1999;62(6):35‐8. - PubMed
Sood 1994 {published data only}
    1. Sood M, Gulati A, Agarwal N, Faridi MMA, Prabhu KM. Fetal feeding by amnioinfusion: an Indian experience [abstract]. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics 1994;46:116.
Xing 1994 {published data only}
    1. Xing A, Baolin W, Weiyue Z. Biochemical effects of maternal intravenous and intra‐amniotic infusion of amino‐acids on fetal blood. Journal of West China University of Medical Sciences 1994;25:98‐102. - PubMed
Xu 1993 {published data only}
    1. Xu Y. Ensure treatment for IUGR. Chung Kuo I Hsueh Ko Hsueh Yuan Hsueh Pao (China) 1993;15(1):63‐6. - PubMed
Zhang 1997 {published data only}
    1. Zhang L. The effects of essential fatty acids preparation in the treatment of intrauterine growth retardation. American Journal of Perinatology 1997;14(9):535‐7. - PubMed

Additional references

Alderson 2004
    1. Alderson P, Green S, Higgins JPT, editors. Cochrane Reviewers' Handbook 4.2.2 (updated March 2004). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2004. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bernstein 2000
    1. Bernstein IM, Horbar JD, Badger GJ, Ohlsson A, Golan A. Morbidity and mortality among very low birth weight infants with intrauterine growth restriction. The Vermont Oxford Network. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2000;182:198. - PubMed
Economides 1993
    1. Economides DL, Nicolaides KH. Cordocentesis in the investigation of fetal oxygenation and metabolism. In: Chervenak FA, Isaacson GC, Campbell S editor(s). Ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1993:433.
Harding 1992
    1. Harding JE, Owens JA, Robinson JS. Should we try to supplement the growth retarded fetus? A cautionary tale. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 1992;99:707‐10. - PubMed
Lin 1998
    1. Lin C, Santolaya‐Forgas J. Current concepts of fetal growth restriction: Part 1. Causes, classification, and pathophysiology. Obstetrics & Gynecology 1998;92(6):1044‐55. - PubMed
Resnik 2002
    1. Resnik R. Intrauterine growth restriction. Obstetrics & Gynecology 2002;99(3):490‐6. - PubMed

Publication types