High protein supplementation in pregnancy (Cochrane Review)

A substantive amendment to this systematic review was last made on 23 August 1996. Cochrane reviews are regularly checked and updated if necessary.

Background: Background pending.

Objectives: To assess the effects of providing pregnant women with high-protein nutritional supplements on gestational weight gain and on the outcome of pregnancy, including fetal growth, gestational duration, and maternal and fetal/infant morbidity and mortality.

Search strategy: The register of clinical trials maintained and updated by the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group. Date of last search: October 2001.

Selection criteria: All acceptably controlled comparisons of protein/energy supplementation in which the protein content of the supplement provided >25% of its total energy content.

Data collection and analysis: Data were extracted by the author from published reports, and supplemented by additional information from trialists contacted by the author.

Main results: Two studies involving 1076 women were included. High protein supplementation was associated with a small, statistically nonsignificant increase in weekly maternal weight gain. The two available trials provide no evidence of benefit on fetal growth; indeed, the adjusted mean difference in birth weight is -58.4 g. One trial also reported a nonsignificantly increased risk of neonatal death with high-protein supplementation.

Reviewers' conclusions: There is not enough evidence to evaluate the use of high protein supplementation in pregnancy.

Citation: Kramer MS. High protein supplementation in pregnancy (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2003. Oxford: Update Software.

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This is an abstract of a regularly updated, systematic review prepared and maintained by the Cochrane Collaboration. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).

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File Reference: AB000105.htm