BEP Supplementation Cuts Risk of Small Vulnerable Newborns

Balanced energy and protein (BEP) supplementation comprises ready-to-use or ready-to-be-cooked foods in which less than 25% of total energy is derived from protein. Previous studies have shown that prenatal BEP supplementation reduces the risks of stillbirth and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) births while increasing birth weight and gestational weight gain. To further evaluate its benefits, a study investigated the impact of prenatal BEP supplementation on birth outcomes among small vulnerable newborn (SVN) types in 10,252 newborns from low- and middle-income countries.

SVNs were classified into 10 groups based on combinations of preterm birth, size for gestational age, and low birth weight (LBW). The analysis found that prenatal BEP supplementation was associated with a 30% lower risk of preterm-SGA-LBW, a 25% lower risk of preterm-appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA)-LBW, and a 20%…