Animal Source Food Supplement and Pregnancy in Vietnam

It has been known for over 80 years that maternal starvation reduces fetal growth and increases neonatal infections. Many different nutrition programs have been targeted to pregnant women to improve pregnancy outcomes. The impact of these programs has been disappointing, and the prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) and infant mortality remains high, especially in developing countries. More recently, as a result of improved access to cereals following the 'green revolution,' nutritional concerns shifted from protein and energy to micronutrient deficiencies, especially those micronutrients in animal-source foods (ASFs)-iron, zinc, vitamins A and B12. Diets of pregnant women are usually limited to rice and a few vegetables, and they lack key nutrients known to reduce preterm delivery, to support fetal growth, and to prevent infections that leads to early neonatal deaths. Vietnam has a well-established farm system that supports the local production of fish, pork, poultry, and eggs. This provides an opportunity to evaluate the impact of a food-based, micronutrient-rich supplement on pregnancy outcome in high-risk, rural Vietnamese women. Since maternal nutritional status at conception is strongly linked to pregnancy outcomes, we will compare the effect of consuming a micronutrient-rich, animal-source food (ASF) supplement from pre-conception to term with a supplement from mid-gestation to term or routine prenatal care on infant birth weight, prematurity rate, and infant growth during the first 6 months of life. This study will be the first to compare a food-based, micronutrient-rich supplement consumed prior to conception to term with one given only during pregnancy. Although it is recognized by many that pregnancy may be too narrow a window to improve maternal nutritional health, it is typical for micronutrient supplements to only be given from the time of enrolling for prenatal care to term. The results of our study, therefore, will have world-wide implications regarding when maternal supplementation should be given to have the greatest impact on pregnancy outcome.

Inclusion criteria

• Non-pregnant women registering to marry in the Cam Khe District of Phu Tho Province
• Nulliparous
• Planning to reside in the study site for the next 3 years.

Exclusion criteria

• Married
• Have had a previous pregnancy
• Have a history of severe infections (HIV, TB) or metabolic disease (diabetes)
• BMI <17 kg/m2
• Do not reside in study communes
• Unable to provide informed consent