The effect of balanced energy-protein supplementation provided to lactating women on maternal and infant outcomes: study protocol for a prospectively planned individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThe high prevalence of infant stunting and maternal undernutrition in low- and middle-income countries poses a significant public health threat. The World Health Organization recommends balanced energy-protein (BEP) supplementation to pregnant women from populations with a high prevalence of underweight (prepregnancy BMI <18.5 kg/m2), leaving a notable gap in guidance for lactating women. To address this problem, we established the Maternal BEP Studies Harmonization Initiative (BEP Initiative) to investigate the impact of BEP supplementation given to pregnant and/or lactating women on maternal and infant outcomes by synthesizing data from multiple clinical trials. This is a study protocol for our prospective individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis on BEP lactation trials.MethodsData from four randomized controlled trials that include mother-infant dyads in India (n=816), Pakistan (n=957), Burkina Faso (n=800), and Nepal (n=726) will be pooled and analyzed. Women were randomized to BEP (one trial had a third arm with maternal BEP plus infants receiving azithromycin) or control groups at baseline (during the first week) and received the intervention through six months postpartum. A one-stage IPD meta-analysis will be done using mixed-effects linear and log-binomial regression models to account for between-trial heterogeneity. The primary outcome of infant length-for-age z scores (LAZ) at six months of age and secondary outcomes of maternal and infant indicators of nutritional status at six months of age will be examined. Also, we will examine baseline characteristics as covariates and effect modifiers for the BEP to outcome relationship. Risk of bias assessments will be carried out for each of the individual trials using the Cochrane risk of bias tool.DiscussionThis prospective IPD meta-analysis uses a one-stage IPD meta-analysis, which allows for higher statistical power to examine outcomes, more flexibility in defining variables, and has the ability to examine many individual- and study-level variables as effect modifiers, allowing conclusions on which individuals or populations may benefit more from BEP given during lactation.Trial registrationThis protocol was pre-registered in Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/9nq7z)