Maternal and Newborn Health Research Roundup – August 2024

1.

Do timing and frequency of antenatal care make a difference in maternal micronutrient intake and breastfeeding practices? Insights from a multi-country study in South Asia  

A multi-country study examined how the timing and frequency of antenatal care (ANC) visits influenced maternal micronutrient intake and breastfeeding practices in South Asia. The study used data from the 2018 South Asia Food and Nutrition Security Initiative (SAFANSI) survey, which covered 10,000 households in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. The study found that women who started ANC in the first trimester and had at least four ANC visits were more likely to consume iron-folic acid supplements, calcium supplements, and diverse foods during pregnancy, and to initiate breastfeeding within one hour of delivery, compared to women who had late or fewer ANC visits. The study also found that the association between ANC and maternal nutrition and breastfeeding varied by country and by socio-economic factors, such as education, wealth, and urban-rural residence. Researchers concluded that improving the coverage, timing, and quality of ANC could enhance maternal and child health and nutrition outcomes in South Asia. (4 March 2024) 

2.

Care groups in an integrated nutrition education intervention improved infant growth among South Sudanese refugees in Uganda’s West Nile post-emergency settlements: A cluster randomized trial 

In a community-based cluster-randomized trial among South Sudanese refugees in Uganda, a peer-led integrated nutrition education intervention has shown significant improvements in infant growth. The study, which involved 390 pregnant women, compared two intervention groups—Mothers-only and Parents-combined—with a control group. Results indicated a notable reduction in infant stunting and underweight in the intervention groups, highlighting the effectiveness of maternal social support combined with nutrition education. This innovative approach using Care Groups could offer a sustainable solution to enhance infant health in post-emergency settings. (15 March 2024) 

3.

Association of child marriage and nutritional status of mothers and their under-five children in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study with a nationally representative sample  

A recent study has revealed a significant correlation between early marriage and malnutrition in Bangladesh. The study analyzed data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017–18. It found that 69% of Bangladeshi women were married before the age of 18, with a substantial number suffering from chronic energy deficiency. Moreover, the children of these mothers were more likely to experience stunting, wasting, and being underweight compared to those whose mothers married later. The research underscores the urgent need for interventions to prevent child marriage and address malnutrition, aiming to support the sustainable development goals by 2030. (2 May 2024) 

4.

Effect of nutrition assessment, counselling and support integration on mother-infant nutritional status, practices and health in Tororo and Butaleja districts, Uganda: A comparative non-equivalent quasi-experimental study 

In the districts of Tororo and Butaleja in Eastern Uganda, a study has found that integrating comprehensive Nutrition Assessment, Counselling, and Support (NACS) can significantly improve the health and nutritional status of mothers and infants. The research compared the effects of comprehensive NACS with routine NACS through a non-equivalent quasi-experimental design. The study followed pregnant mothers through antenatal periods and post-delivery, as well as their infants up to 12 months post-delivery. Results showed that infants in the comprehensive NACS group had higher birth weights and better growth indicators, such as weight-for-age and length-for-age z-scores. Despite an increase in upper respiratory infections, there were fewer episodes of diarrhea and fever among these infants. The study concludes that a holistic approach to maternal and infant care, which includes comprehensive NACS, leads to better health outcomes, suggesting a need for integrated care practices. (12 June 2024) 

5.

Incidence of and risk factors for small vulnerable newborns in north India: a secondary analysis of a prospective pregnancy cohort 

A recent secondary analysis aimed to estimate the incidence of small and vulnerable newborns (SVN), SVN types, and quantify risk factors from a pregnancy cohort of 8,000 participants in north India. Conducted within the Interdisciplinary Group for Advanced Research on Birth Outcomes—DBT India Initiative (GARBH-Ini) pregnancy cohort, the research identified a 48.4% incidence of SVN, 9.7% preterm-non-small for gestational age (SGA) newborns, and 3.6% preterm-SGA newborns. Compared with term non-SGA newborns, proportions of stillbirths and neonatal deaths within 72 h of birth among SVN were three times and 2.5 times higher, respectively. Maternal undernutrition before and during pregnancy emerged as a prominent risk factor of SVN, with a population attributable fraction of 30%. This analysis underscores the importance of focused antenatal care and risk-stratification tools to reduce neonatal mortality and achieve Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. (August 2024)