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Review
. 2019 Mar;12(1):5-13.
doi: 10.1177/1753495X18769213. Epub 2018 May 4.

Micronutrient supplementation in pregnancy: Who, what and how much?

F Parisi  1 , I di Bartolo  1 , V M Savasi  1 , I Cetin  1
Affiliations
Review

Micronutrient supplementation in pregnancy: Who, what and how much?

F Parisi et al. Obstet Med. 2019 Mar.

Abstract

Pregnancy represents a period of major physiological and metabolic change, aiming to ensure proper fetal growth and development, as well as maternal preservation. This review focuses on maternal nutrition, and particularly on micronutrient deficiencies and supplementation during pregnancy. Nutrient deficiencies and consequences in pregnant women are presented, with an overview of current recommendations for dietary supplementation in pregnancy, even considering the risk of micronutrient overload. Appropriate universal supplementation and prophylaxis/treatment of nutritional needs currently appear to be the most cost-effective goal in low-income countries, thus ensuring adequate intake of key elements including folate, iron, calcium, vitamin D and A. In high-income countries, a proper nutritional assessment and counselling should be mandatory in obstetric care in order to normalize pregestational body mass index, choose a healthy dietary pattern and evaluate the risk of deficiencies.

Keywords: Maternal nutrition; folic acid; iron; micronutrient; supplementation in pregnancy.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Micronutrient deficiencies and WHO recommendations for supplementation in pregnancy.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Worldwide strategies to implement folate status among women of childbearing age.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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