Multimicronutrient supplements in nutrition of pregnant women: critical analysis of research results

Abstract

The purpose of the review is to analyze the results of the use of vitamin-mineral supplements (MMS) during pregnancy using the databases of the RSCI, CyberLeninka, pubMed. The detection of micronutrient deficiency in a significant part of pregnant women requires its unconditional correction by taking vitamin-mineral supplements. In recent years, the emphasis has shifted to studying the effect of MMS intake on the course and outcomes of pregnancy. The effects described in the literature should be treated critically. Most of the studies are based only on a retrospective survey of pregnant women (according to the ‘yes' or ‘no' principle), their supply of micronutrients is not monitored; no causal relationship is established. There is no objective monitoring of the MMS intake. Uncertainties include the composition and doses of micronutrients in the MMS used, the lack of data on drug intake, the assumption that all MMS are equivalent in composition and micronutrient content, and the grouping of women taking MMS with different composition into one group. In addition, the use of incorrect indicators in assessing the physical growth of children occurs. The positive effect of additional intake of MMS is manifested only if initially there was a deficiency of micronutrients.Conclusions. The intake of MMS during pregnancy improves the supply of vitamins for those women in whose diet there is a lack of them. This prophylaxis reduces the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes due to vitamin deficiencies.