Formulation and evaluation of supplementary foods for Thai pregnant women
Tontisirin, K.; Booranasubkajorn, U.; Hongsumarn, A.; Thewtong, D.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 43(6): 931-939
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9165 PMID: 3521254 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/43.6.931Document Number: 373137
Supplementary foods for 43 pregnant mothers who lived in the rural region of Thailand were formulated and evaluated in an effort to improve maternal nutritional status and to ameliorate protein-energy malnutrition in both pregnant women and their infants. 6 formulas were developed, based on locally available food sources that would provide an additional amount of protein and energy. 2 formulas were selected for field evaluation with 2 of the experimental groups. The 3rd group served as a control and received no supplementation. During the 3rd trimester, subjects in the control group, with no supplement, had significantly smaller weight gain than the 2 supplemented groups. There was a trend towards increasing hematocrit in both supplemented groups. After supplementation, the prevalence of anemia in both groups I and II was decreasing significantly; the control group showed an increasing prevalence of anemia. Birth weights lower than 2500 g were not observed in either supplemented group but were seen in the control group. Length, head and chest circumferences of newborns, and placental weight also were significantly higher in both supplemented groups.