Impact of Nutrition Interventions During Pregnancy on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Maternal undernutrition continues to be a significant contributor to adverse pregnancy outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of balanced nutrition supplementation during pregnancy on maternal and neonatal outcomes by synthesizing evidence from randomized controlled trials. Across the included studies, supplementation was associated with modest improvements in maternal weight gain and neonatal anthropometric measures, particularly birth weight and length. However, consistent benefits were not observed for outcomes such as preterm birth, stillbirth, miscarriage, or maternal mortality. A small reduction in neonatal head circumference was noted, but its clinical relevance remains uncertain. Overall, balanced nutrition supplementation appears to offer measurable benefits for maternal and fetal growth in undernourished populations, although the strength of the evidence varies, and further well-designed, context-specific trials are needed to clarify optimal implementation strategies.