The study, which tracked 2,450 pregnant women, identified vitamin A, vitamin D, folic acid, calcium, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids as essential micronutrients during pregnancy. Insufficient intake of certain nutrients could result in preterm birth, low birth weight, birth defects, and other health issues, while excessive intake could alter a baby's body development and increase the risk of future health problems.
The study's findings suggest that there is a need for affordable and convenient prenatal vitamin options that contain optimal amounts of key nutrients. The research also emphasises the importance of educating doctors, patients, and dietary supplement manufacturers about the micronutrients that pregnant women require to make informed decisions about their nutritional needs.
The study considered considered 6 nutrients with the strongest evidence for a potential benefit for maternal-child health outcomes:
- vitamin A
- vitamin D
- folate/folic acid
- calcium
- iron
- ω-3 FAs
Only 1 out of the 12000 supplements in the United States was found to contain target levels of all 6 these nutrients, according to the study.
