Poor nutrition during pregnancy can lead to serious health complications for both mothers and their children, including low birth weight, poor maternal health, and impaired cognitive development. A new research collaboration, Mother’s Micronutrient Supplement for Pregnancy and Lactation (MoMS), between researchers in Kenya, Norway, and Denmark, seeks to address this issue. The project aims to develop and test an improved dietary supplement to reduce the incidence of low birth weight, enhance maternal and child health, and support growth and cognitive development in children. Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Novo Nordisk Foundation, MoMS is backed by DKK 68 million ($9.87 million / €9.5 million).
Addressing Nutrient Deficiencies During Pregnancy
Pregnant women’s nutritional needs increase significantly during pregnancy. While dietary intake from foods is the preferred solution, many low- and middle-income countries lack the necessary diversity in food options to meet these needs. As a result, many pregnant women do not get enough essential nutrients, leading to adverse outcomes such as low birth weight and cognitive impairment in children.
In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the use of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS), which provide a daily dose of 15 essential vitamins and minerals. Many countries are transitioning from using iron-folic acid supplements alone to MMS as a standard part of antenatal care.
Optimizing Micronutrient Supplements
The MoMS project is exploring how to further optimize the MMS to improve its effectiveness. Current MMS formulations may not include all the necessary nutrients, or they may feature lower doses than required for optimal health outcomes. To address this, the MoMS team is working on an enhanced version—MMS+—which will feature increased doses and additional nutrients to maximize its potential benefits.
Dr. Zipporah Bukania, the project manager and Senior Principal Research Scientist at the Centre for Public Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), explains:
“Nutrient deficiencies during pregnancy can have serious consequences for both maternal and child health. That is why it is crucial that we improve the nutrition of pregnant women for the benefit of their fetuses and children. This grant is a great recognition of that, and our goal is that the research will not only improve health in the participating areas but also form the basis for new global health standards for pregnant women and their children.”
New Nutrients to Boost Cognitive Development
The Scandinavian arm of the MoMS project is led by Associate Professor Benedikte Grenov from the University of Copenhagen and Professor Tor A. Strand from the University of Bergen and Innlandet Hospital Trust. Both have long experience in child nutrition in low- and middle-income countries and are particularly interested in the effects of nutrition on children’s growth and development. They see significant potential in incorporating additional nutrients into the MMS.
“Our goal is to develop a new product that includes the two nutrients docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and choline and higher doses of vitamin B3, since we believe that this can have a positive effect on women, fetuses, and children. Specifically, DHA and choline are thought to have a positive effect on children’s cognitive development. If women and fetuses do not get the necessary nutrients during pregnancy, it can impact the child for life,” says Associate Professor Grenov.
Focus Area: Bungoma County, Kenya
The primary focus of MoMS is in Bungoma County, located in western Kenya, an area that faces significant food insecurity and poor dietary diversity. The typical diet in the region consists mainly of starchy foods like ugali (maize flour or a mix of sorghum/millet with cassava flour) and vegetables. There is limited consumption of fish and animal protein, which exacerbates the nutritional challenges for pregnant women.
To address these issues, the project will recruit 3,000 pregnant women in Bungoma County. These women will be closely monitored throughout their pregnancies, and both mothers and children will be examined at multiple stages during the first year of the child’s life.
Creating Lasting Change
For the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the goal of the MoMS project extends beyond improving immediate health outcomes. Senior Vice President Arne Astrup, Professor, MD, emphasizes the broader impact of improved maternal and child health:
“We now know that malnutrition during pregnancy and the first years of life contributes to the development of a wide range of serious and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, affecting the future prospects of entire countries. I hope this project will help improve local health facilities, train health workers, change health behaviors, and strengthen capacity both locally and with the government. We need to create structural changes that can lead to long-term health improvements.”
Conclusion
The MoMS initiative aims to tackle the global issue of malnutrition among pregnant women and children by developing an optimized micronutrient supplement that could improve maternal and child health, reduce low birth weight, and support cognitive development. By addressing nutrient deficiencies, particularly in regions like Bungoma County, Kenya, and using evidence-based research to inform future global health standards, the project holds promise for making a significant impact on public health worldwide.
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