Intake Of Multivitamins Reduces The Chances Of Having An Underweight Baby!

By taking multivitamins pills during pregnancy you can dramatically reduce the chances of having an underweight baby, says anew study.

The Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition conducted a research on more than 400 women, found cases of SGA (small-for-gestational age) birth were less than half as common in mothers who had consumed “ "multiple micro-nutrient supplements" at the time of pregnancy, when compared with a placebo group, as reported by Scotsman.

The researches from antenatal clinics in Hackney, east London selected 402 healthy pregnant women. They were chosen as an example of a 'socially deprived, multi-ethnic population within a developed country.'

As a part of research, about 50 percent of women were told to take prenatal vitamins that contained 11 vitamins and 5 minerals. And the rest of them were given starch tablet as placebo. Neither the researchers nor the participants knew which group was given the active treatment.

About 39% of the original group compiled fully with the conditions of trial, with some number of women dropping out because of the lifestyle pressure, while there were others who complained of constipation and sickness.

Almost similar numbers from the treatment and placebo groups left the trail.

Dr. Louise Brough the lead author of the study said that although the group was small in numbers, still the study was "statistically significant and justifies a larger study"

In the results of the study showed “significant levels” of mineral and vitamin deficiency during early pregnancy, with 72 percent of the group deficient in vitamin D at the beginning of the study. In addition to that 13 percent were lacking in sufficient thiamin, which is necessary for healthy nerves and muscles. Those mothers who took prenatal supplements were found to have improved levels of vitamin D and iron by the third trimester.

During late pregnancy, 55 percent of women taking placebo were anemic, compared with 36 percent of those taking the supplement. As for birth weight of the baby, eight of 88 babies born to the mothers using the supplements were underweight and on the other side, 13 of the 61 women in the placebo group.