Hininger I, Favier M, Arnaud J, Faure H, Thoulon JM, Hariveau E, Favier A, Roussel AM.

1LBSO, Faculte de Pharmacie, Universite Joseph. Fourier, La Tronche, France.

OBJECTIVE:: To investigate the possible beneficial effects of a micronutrient supplementation to apparently healthy pregnant women on maternal biological status and new born anthropometric characteristics. SETTING:: Departments of Obstetric of the University Hospital of Grenoble (France) and Lyon (France), Laboratoire of Biology of Oxidative Stress, UFR de Pharmacie. Grenoble (France). STUDY DESIGN:: Double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled intervention trial. SUBJECTS:: A total of 100 apparently healthy pregnant women were recruited at 14+/-2 weeks of gestation to delivery. At the end, they were 65 women to follow out the study. INTERVENTIONS:: Daily consumption over gestation of a miconutrients supplement or placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:: Plasma micronutrient levels and oxidative stress parameters were measured in mothers at 14 and 38 weeks of gestation. New born's anthropometric characteristics were measured at delivery. RESULTS:: In the supplemented group, folic acid, vitamin C, E, B(2), B(6) and beta-carotene levels were higher than in the placebo group. Oxidative stress parameters were not different between the groups. Birth weights were increased by 10% and the number of low newborn weights (<2700g) decreased significantly when the mother received the supplementation. Maternal plasma Zn levels were positively correlated to the newborn heights. CONCLUSION:: A regular intake of a micronutrient supplement at nutritional dose may be sufficient to improve micronutrient status of apparently healthy pregnant women and could prevent low birth weight of newborn. SPONSORSHIP:: The supplement and placebo were supplied and the study was partially funded by BOIRON Pharmaceutical Company. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2004) 58, 52-59. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601745