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. 2024 Jun 29;21(7):856.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph21070856.

The Effects of Maternal Iron and Folate Supplementation on Pregnancy and Infant Outcomes in Africa: A Systematic Review

Yibeltal Bekele  1   2 , Claire Gallagher  3 , Don Vicendese  3   4 , Melissa Buultjens  1 , Mehak Batra  1 , Bircan Erbas  1
Affiliations

The Effects of Maternal Iron and Folate Supplementation on Pregnancy and Infant Outcomes in Africa: A Systematic Review

Yibeltal Bekele et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Iron and folate deficiency are prevalent in pregnant women in Africa. However, limited research exists on the differential effect of oral iron-only, folate-only, or Iron Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation on adverse pregnancy and infant outcomes. This systematic review addresses this gap, focusing on studies conducted in Africa with limited healthcare access. Understanding these differential effects could lead to more targeted and potentially cost-effective interventions to improve maternal and child health in these settings.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. The primary exposures were oral iron-only, folate-only, or IFA oral supplementation during pregnancy, while the outcomes were adverse pregnancy and infant outcomes. A qualitative synthesis guided by methods without meta-analysis was performed.

Results: Our qualitative synthesis analysed 10 articles reporting adverse pregnancy (adverse birth outcomes, stillbirths, and perinatal mortality) and infant outcomes (neonatal mortality). Consistently, iron-only supplementation demonstrated a reduction in perinatal death. However, evidence is insufficient to assess the relationship between iron-only and IFA supplementation with adverse birth outcomes, stillbirths, and neonatal mortality.

Conclusion: Findings suggested that iron-only supplementation during pregnancy may reduce perinatal mortality in African women. However, evidence remains limited regarding the effectiveness of both iron-only and IFA supplementation in reducing stillbirths, and neonatal mortality. Moreover, additional primary studies are necessary to comprehend the effects of iron-only, folate-only, and IFA supplementation on pregnancy outcomes and infant health in the African region, considering rurality and income level as effect modifiers.

Keywords: Africa; adverse birth outcomes; folate; infant mortality; iron; neonatal mortality.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) flow chart diagram of studies searched for systematic review and meta-analysis in Africa, 2023. Footnote: “Incorrect” refers to not meeting inclusion criteria for a systematic review.
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