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Bekele Y, Gallagher C, Vicendese D, Buultjens M, Batra M, Erbas B. The Effects of Maternal Iron and Folate Supplementation on Pregnancy and Infant Outcomes in Africa: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:856. [PMID: 39063433 PMCID: PMC11276896 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21070856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibeltal Bekele
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (M.B.); (M.B.); (B.E.)
- School of Public Health, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar 79, Ethiopia
| | - Claire Gallagher
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; (C.G.); (D.V.)
| | - Don Vicendese
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; (C.G.); (D.V.)
- School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Melissa Buultjens
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (M.B.); (M.B.); (B.E.)
| | - Mehak Batra
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (M.B.); (M.B.); (B.E.)
| | - Bircan Erbas
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (M.B.); (M.B.); (B.E.)
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Bekele Y, Gallagher C, Batra M, Buultjens M, Eren S, Erbas B. Does oral iron and folate supplementation during pregnancy protect against adverse birth outcomes and reduced neonatal and infant mortality in Africa: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis? Nutr Health 2024:2601060241256200. [PMID: 38778781 DOI: 10.1177/02601060241256200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, one-third of pregnant women are at risk of iron deficiency, particularly in the African region. While recent findings show that iron and folate supplementation can lower the risk of adverse birth outcomes and childhood mortality, our understanding of its impact in Africa remains incomplete due to insufficient evidence. This protocol outlines the systematic review steps to investigate the impact of oral iron and folate supplementation during pregnancy on adverse birth outcomes, neonatal mortality and infant mortality in Africa. METHODS AND ANALYSIS MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched for published articles. Google Scholar and Advanced Google Search were used for gray literature and nonindexed articles. Oral iron and/or folate supplementation during pregnancy is the primary exposure. The review will focus on adverse birth outcomes, neonatal mortality and infant mortality. Both Cochrane Effective Practice and Organization of Care and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale risk of bias assessment tools will be used. Meta-analysis will be conducted if design and data analysis methodologies permit. This systematic review and meta-analysis will provide up-to-date evidence about iron and folate supplementation's role in adverse birth outcomes, neonatal mortality and infant mortality in the African region. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This review will provide insights that help policymakers, program planners, researchers, and public health practitioners interested in working in the region. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42023452588.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibeltal Bekele
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Public Health, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Claire Gallagher
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mehak Batra
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Melissa Buultjens
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Senem Eren
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Ibn Haldun University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Bircan Erbas
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Chen GD, Li PS, Zhou ZX, Wang HY, Gou XY, Ye SX, Lin DX, Fan DZ, Wang LJ, Liu ZP. Associations of maternal serum concentration of iron-related indicators with birth outcomes in Chinese: a pilot prospective cohort study. Ital J Pediatr 2024; 50:39. [PMID: 38439018 PMCID: PMC10913255 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-024-01621-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies of maternal iron and birth outcomes have been limited to single indicators that do not reflect the comprehensive relationship with birth outcomes. We aimed to investigate the relationship between maternal iron metabolism and neonatal anthropometric indicators using comprehensive iron-related indicators. METHODS A total of 914 Chinese mother-child dyads were enrolled in this prospective study. Subjects' blood samples were collected at ≤ 14 weeks of gestation. Serum concentrations of iron-related indicators were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Femur length was measured by B-ultrasound nearest delivery. Neonatal anthropometric indicators were collected from medical records. RESULTS After adjustment for potential covariates, higher iron (per one standard deviation, SD increase) was detrimentally associated with - 0.22 mm lower femur length, whereas higher transferrin (per one SD increase) was associated with 0.20 mm higher femur length. Compared with normal subjects (10th-90th percentiles), subjects with extremely high (> 90th percentile) iron concentration were detrimentally associated with lower femur length, birth weight, and chest circumference, and a higher risk of low birth weight, LBW (HR: 3.92, 95%CI: 1.28, 12.0). Subjects with high concentration of soluble transferrin receptor, sTFR and transferrin (> 90th percentile) were associated with higher femur length. Subjects with low concentration of iron and ferritin concentrations (< 10th percentile) were associated with a higher risk of LBW (HR: 4.10, 95%CI: 1.17, 14.3) and macrosomia (HR: 2.79, 95%CI: 1.06, 7.35), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Maternal iron overload in early pregnancy may be detrimentally associated with neonatal anthropometric indicators and adverse birth outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geng-Dong Chen
- Foshan Institute of Fetal Medicine, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, 528000, Foshan city, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Peng-Sheng Li
- Foshan Institute of Fetal Medicine, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, 528000, Foshan city, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zi-Xing Zhou
- Foshan Institute of Fetal Medicine, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, 528000, Foshan city, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hai-Yan Wang
- Foshan Institute of Fetal Medicine, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, 528000, Foshan city, Guangdong Province, China
- Biobank of Foshan Institute of Fetal Medicine, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, 528000, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Gou
- Foshan Institute of Fetal Medicine, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, 528000, Foshan city, Guangdong Province, China
- Biobank of Foshan Institute of Fetal Medicine, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, 528000, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Shao-Xin Ye
- Foshan Institute of Fetal Medicine, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, 528000, Foshan city, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Dong-Xin Lin
- Foshan Institute of Fetal Medicine, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, 528000, Foshan city, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Da-Zhi Fan
- Foshan Institute of Fetal Medicine, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, 528000, Foshan city, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Li-Juan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, No.11 Renmin West Road, Changchen District, 528000, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Zheng-Ping Liu
- Foshan Institute of Fetal Medicine, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, 528000, Foshan city, Guangdong Province, China.
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Sun J, Liu X, Zhao M, Magnussen CG, Xi B. Dose-response association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and the risk of infant death: a nationwide, population-based, retrospective cohort study. EClinicalMedicine 2023; 57:101858. [PMID: 36879656 PMCID: PMC9984774 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.101858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Association of timing and intensity of maternal smoking during pregnancy with all-cause and cause-specific infant death remains inconclusive. We aimed to examine the dose-response association of maternal smoking during each of the three trimesters of pregnancy with all-cause and cause-specific infant death. METHODS In this nationwide, population-based, retrospective cohort study, data were extracted from the U.S. National Vital Statistics System, 2015-2019. We included mother-infant pairs after excluding twin or multiple births, newborns with gestation age <37 weeks and those with low birthweight, mothers aged <18 years or ≥50 years, mothers with pre-existing hypertension or diabetes, and those with missing values for variables of interest. Poisson regression models were used to examine the association of different intensities and doses of maternal smoking during each of the three trimesters of pregnancy with all-cause and cause-specific infant death attributed to congenital anomalies, preterm birth, other perinatal conditions, sudden unexpected infant death, and infection. FINDINGS A total of 13,524,204 mother-infant pairs were included in our analyses. Maternal smoking during the entire pregnancy was associated with infant all-cause death (relative risk [RR] 1.88, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.79-1.97), cause-specific death due to preterm birth (1.57, 1.25-1.98), perinatal conditions excluding preterm birth (1.35, 1.10-1.65), sudden unexpected infant death (2.56, 2.40-2.73), and infection (1.51, 1.20-1.88). The risk of infant all-cause death (RR values from 1.80 to 2.15) and cause-specific infant death by preterm birth (RR values from 1.42 to 1.74), perinatal conditions excluding preterm birth (RR values from 1.46 to 1.53), sudden unexpected infant death (RR values from 2.37 to 3.04), and infection (RR values from 1.48 to 2.69) increased with the intensity of maternal cigarette use during the entire pregnancy from 1-5 to ≥11 cigarettes. Compared with mothers who smoked during their entire pregnancy, those who smoked in the first trimester and then quit smoking in the second or third trimesters of pregnancy had a reduced risk of infant all-cause death (0.71, 0.65-0.78) and sudden unexpected infant death (0.64, 0.57-0.72). INTERPRETATION There was a dose-response association of maternal cigarette use during each of the three trimesters of pregnancy with all-cause and cause-specific infant death. In addition, mothers who are smokers in the first trimester and then quit smoking in the subsequent two trimesters are at decreased risk of infant all-cause mortality and sudden unexpected infant death compared with those who smoked during the entire pregnancy. These findings suggest that there is no safe level of maternal smoking in any trimester of pregnancy and maternal smokers should stop smoking during pregnancy to improve the survival of infants. FUNDING Youth Team of Humanistic and Social Science and the Innovation Team of the "Climbing" Program of Shandong University (20820IFYT1902).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahong Sun
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xue Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Min Zhao
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Costan G. Magnussen
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Bo Xi
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Corresponding author. Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China.
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Abstract
Despite several efforts by the Government of India, the national burden of anaemia remains high and its growing prevalence (between 2015-2016 and 2019-2021) is concerning to India's public health system. This article reviews existing food-based and clinical strategies to mitigate the anaemia burden and why they are premature and insufficient. In a context where multiple anaemia control programmes are in play, this article proposes a threefold strategy for consideration. First, except the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey, 2016-2018, which measured Hb concentration among children and adolescents aged 1-19 years using venous blood samples, all national surveys use capillary blood samples to determine Hb levels, which could be erroneous. The Indian government should prioritise conducting a nationwide survey for estimating the burden of anaemia and its clinical determinants for all age groups using venous blood samples. Second, without deciding the appropriate dose of Fe needed for an individual, food fortification programmes that are often compounded with layering of other micronutrients could be harmful and further research on this issue is needed. Same is true for the pharmacological intervention of Fe tablet or syrup supplementation programmes, which is given to individuals without assessing its need. In addition, there is a dire need for robust research to understand both the long-term benefit and side effects of Fe supplementation programmes. Third and final, the WHO is in process of reviewing the Hb threshold for defining anaemia, therefore the introduction of new anaemia control programmes should be restrained.
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Rai RK, Barik A, Chowdhury A. Use of antenatal and delivery care services and their association with maternal and infant mortality in rural India. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16490. [PMID: 36192467 PMCID: PMC9529891 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20951-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Optimum use of antenatal care (ANC) and delivery care services could reduce morbidity and mortality among prospective mothers and their children. However, the role of ANC and delivery services in prevention of both maternal and child mortality is poorly understood, primarily because of dearth of prospective cohort data. Using a ten-years population-based prospective cohort data, this study examined the use of ANC and delivery services and their association with maternal and infant mortality in rural India. Descriptive statistics were estimated, and multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to attain the study objective. Findings revealed that consumption of ≥ 100 iron-and-folic acid (IFA) tablet/equivalent syrup during pregnancy had a protective association with maternal and infant mortality. Lack of maternal blood group checks during pregnancy was associated with increased odds of the death of infants. Caesarean/forceps delivery and delivery conducted by untrained personnel were associated with increased odds of maternal mortality. Findings from this study reemphasizes on increasing coverage and consumption of IFA tablets/equivalent syrup. Improved ANC and delivery services and increased uptake of all types of ANC and delivery care services are equally important for improvement in maternal and child survival in rural India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh Kumar Rai
- Department of Economics, University of Göttingen, 37073, Göttingen, Germany. .,Centre for Modern Indian Studies, University of Göttingen, 37073, Göttingen, Germany. .,Society for Health and Demographic Surveillance, Suri, West Bengal, 731101, India. .,Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Anamitra Barik
- Society for Health and Demographic Surveillance, Suri, West Bengal, 731101, India.,Suri District Hospital, Suri, West Bengal, 731101, India
| | - Abhijit Chowdhury
- Society for Health and Demographic Surveillance, Suri, West Bengal, 731101, India.,School of Digestive and Liver Disease, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700020, India.,John C Martin Centre for Liver Research and Innovations, Indian Institute of Liver and Digestive Sciences, Liver Foundation West Bengal, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700150, India
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