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Alemu BK, Lee MW, Leung MBW, Lee WF, Wang Y, Wang CC, Lau SL. Preventive effect of prenatal maternal oral probiotic supplementation on neonatal jaundice (POPS Study): A protocol for the randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e083641. [PMID: 38851232 PMCID: PMC11163667 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-083641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neonatal jaundice is a common and life-threatening health problem in neonates due to overaccumulation of circulating unconjugated bilirubin. Gut flora has a potential influence on bilirubin metabolism. The infant gut microbiome is commonly copied from the maternal gut. During pregnancy, due to changes in dietary habits, hormones and body weight, maternal gut dysbiosis is common, which can be stabilised by probiotics supplementation. However, whether probiotic supplements can reach the baby through the mother and reduce the incidence of neonatal jaundice has not been studied yet. Therefore, we aim to evaluate the effect of prenatal maternal probiotic supplementation on the incidence of neonatal jaundice. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This is a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial among 94 pregnant women (47 in each group) in a tertiary hospital in Hong Kong. Voluntary eligible participants will be recruited between 28 and 35 weeks of gestation. Computer-generated randomisation and allocation to either the intervention or control group will be carried out. Participants will take either one sachet of Vivomixx (450 billion colony-forming units per sachet) or a placebo per day until 1 week post partum. Neither the study participants nor researchers will know the randomisation and allocation. The intervention will be initiated at 36 weeks of gestation. Neonatal bilirubin level will be measured to determine the primary outcome (hyperbilirubinaemia) while the metagenomic microbiome profile of breast milk and maternal and infant stool samples as well as pregnancy outcomes will be secondary outcomes. Binary logistic and linear regressions will be carried out to assess the association of the microbiome data with different clinical outcomes. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethics approval is obtained from the Joint CUHK-NTEC Clinical Research Ethics Committee, Hong Kong (CREC Ref: 2023.100-T). Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT06087874.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bekalu Kassie Alemu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
- Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Science, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
| | - May Wing Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Maran Bo Wah Leung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Wing Fong Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Yao Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
- Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Chi Chiu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Joint Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, The Chinese University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - So Ling Lau
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
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Escher NA, Andrade GC, Ghosh-Jerath S, Millett C, Seferidi P. The effect of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions on the double burden of malnutrition in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review. Lancet Glob Health 2024; 12:e419-e432. [PMID: 38301666 PMCID: PMC7616050 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(23)00562-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) experiencing nutrition transition face an increasing double burden of malnutrition (DBM). WHO has urged the identification of risks and opportunities in nutrition interventions to mitigate the DBM, but robust evidence is missing. This review summarises the effect of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions on undernutrition and overnutrition in LMICs. METHODS We searched four major databases and grey literature for publications in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish from Jan 1, 2000, to Aug 14, 2023. Eligible studies evaluated nutrition-specific or nutrition-sensitive interventions on both undernutrition and overnutrition, employing robust study designs (individually randomised, cluster randomised, and non-randomised trials; interrupted time series; controlled before-after; and prospective cohort studies). Studies were synthesised narratively, and classified as DBM-beneficial, potentially DBM-beneficial, DBM-neutral, potentially DBM-harmful, and DBM-harmful, using vote counting. This review is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022320131). FINDINGS We identified 26 studies evaluating 20 nutrition-specific (maternal and child health [MCH] and school-based programmes) and six nutrition-sensitive (conditional cash transfers and other social policies) interventions. Seven of eight MCH interventions providing food-based or nutritional supplements indicated possible DBM-harmful effects, associated with increased maternal or child overweight. Most school-based programmes and MCH interventions that target behavioural change were considered potentially DBM-beneficial. Two studies of conditional cash transfers suggested DBM-beneficial effects in children, whereas one indicated potentially harmful effects on maternal overweight. A study on a family planning service and one on an education reform revealed possible long-term harmful effects on obesity. INTERPRETATION There is considerable scope to repurpose existing nutrition interventions to reduce the growing burden of the DBM in LMICs. In settings undergoing rapid nutrition transition, specific policy attention is required to ensure that food-based or supplement-based MCH programmes do not unintentionally increase maternal or child overweight. Consistent reporting of undernutrition and overnutrition outcomes in all nutrition interventions is essential to expand the evidence base to identify and promote interventions maximising benefits and minimising harms on the DBM. FUNDING President's Scholarship (Imperial College London) and National Institute for Health and Care Research. TRANSLATIONS For the Portuguese, Spanish and French translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora A Escher
- Public Health Policy Evaluation Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Giovanna C Andrade
- Centre for Epidemiological Studies in Health and Nutrition, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Christopher Millett
- Public Health Policy Evaluation Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK; NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Comprehensive Health Research Center, NOVA University Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal; Instituto de Estudos para Políticas de Saúde, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paraskevi Seferidi
- Public Health Policy Evaluation Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Godfrey KM, Titcombe P, El-Heis S, Albert BB, Tham EH, Barton SJ, Kenealy T, Chong MFF, Nield H, Chong YS, Chan SY, Cutfield WS. Maternal B-vitamin and vitamin D status before, during, and after pregnancy and the influence of supplementation preconception and during pregnancy: Prespecified secondary analysis of the NiPPeR double-blind randomized controlled trial. PLoS Med 2023; 20:e1004260. [PMID: 38051700 PMCID: PMC10697591 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal vitamin status preconception and during pregnancy has important consequences for pregnancy outcome and offspring development. Changes in vitamin status from preconception through early and late pregnancy and postpartum have been inferred from cross-sectional data, but longitudinal data on vitamin status from preconception throughout pregnancy and postdelivery are sparse. As such, the influence of vitamin supplementation on vitamin status during pregnancy remains uncertain. This study presents one prespecified outcome from the randomized controlled NiPPeR trial, aiming to identify longitudinal patterns of maternal vitamin status from preconception, through early and late pregnancy, to 6 months postdelivery, and determine the influence of vitamin supplementation. METHODS AND FINDINGS In the NiPPeR trial, 1,729 women (from the United Kingdom, Singapore, and New Zealand) aged 18 to 38 years and planning conception were randomized to receive a standard vitamin supplement (control; n = 859) or an enhanced vitamin supplement (intervention; n = 870) starting in preconception and continued throughout pregnancy, with blinding of participants and research staff. Supplement components common to both treatment groups included folic acid, β-carotene, iron, calcium, and iodine; components additionally included in the intervention group were riboflavin, vitamins B6, B12, and D (in amounts available in over-the-counter supplements), myo-inositol, probiotics, and zinc. The primary outcome of the study was glucose tolerance at 28 weeks' gestation, measured by oral glucose tolerance test. The secondary outcome reported in this study was the reduction in maternal micronutrient insufficiency in riboflavin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and vitamin D, before and during pregnancy. We measured maternal plasma concentrations of B-vitamins, vitamin D, and markers of insufficiency/deficiency (homocysteine, hydroxykynurenine-ratio, methylmalonic acid) at recruitment, 1 month after commencing intervention preconception, in early pregnancy (7 to 11 weeks' gestation) and late pregnancy (around 28 weeks' gestation), and postdelivery (6 months after supplement discontinuation). We derived standard deviation scores (SDS) to characterize longitudinal changes among participants in the control group and measured differences between the 2 groups. At recruitment, the proportion of patients with marginal or low plasma status was 29.2% for folate (<13.6 nmol/L), 7.5% and 82.0% for riboflavin (<5 nmol/L and ≤26.5 nmol/L, respectively), 9.1% for vitamin B12 (<221 pmol/L), and 48.7% for vitamin D (<50 nmol/L); these proportions were balanced between the groups. Over 90% of all participants had low or marginal status for one or more of these vitamins at recruitment. Among participants in the control group, plasma concentrations of riboflavin declined through early and late pregnancy, whereas concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were unchanged in early pregnancy, and concentrations of vitamin B6 and B12 declined throughout pregnancy, becoming >1 SDS lower than baseline by 28 weeks gestation. In the control group, 54.2% of participants developed low late-pregnancy vitamin B6 concentrations (pyridoxal 5-phosphate <20 nmol/L). After 1 month of supplementation, plasma concentrations of supplement components were substantially higher among participants in the intervention group than those in the control group: riboflavin by 0.77 SDS (95% CI 0.68 to 0.87, p < 0.0001), vitamin B6 by 1.07 SDS (0.99 to 1.14, p < 0.0001), vitamin B12 by 0.55 SDS (0.46 to 0.64, p < 0.0001), and vitamin D by 0.51 SDS (0.43 to 0.60, p < 0.0001), with higher levels in the intervention group maintained during pregnancy. Markers of vitamin insufficiency/deficiency were reduced in the intervention group, and the proportion of participants with vitamin D insufficiency (<50 nmol/L) during late pregnancy was lower in the intervention group (35.1% versus 8.5%; p < 0.0001). Plasma vitamin B12 remained higher in the intervention group than in the control group 6 months postdelivery (by 0.30 SDS (0.14, 0.46), p = 0.0003). The main limitation is that generalizability to the global population is limited by the high-resource settings and the lack of African and Amerindian women in particular. CONCLUSIONS Over 90% of the trial participants had marginal or low concentrations of one or more of folate, riboflavin, vitamin B12, or vitamin D during preconception, and many developed markers of vitamin B6 deficiency in late pregnancy. Preconception/pregnancy supplementation in amounts available in over-the-counter supplements substantially reduces the prevalence of vitamin deficiency and depletion markers before and during pregnancy, with higher maternal plasma vitamin B12 maintained during the recommended lactational period. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02509988; U1111-1171-8056.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith M. Godfrey
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre, University of Southampton, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton, NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Philip Titcombe
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre, University of Southampton, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah El-Heis
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre, University of Southampton, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton, NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | | | - Elizabeth Huiwen Tham
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Sheila J. Barton
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre, University of Southampton, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy Kenealy
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Mary Foong-Fong Chong
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Heidi Nield
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre, University of Southampton, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Yap Seng Chong
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University Hospital, Singapore
| | - Shiao-Yng Chan
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University Hospital, Singapore
| | - Wayne S. Cutfield
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- A Better Start, New Zealand National Science Challenge, Auckland, New Zealand
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