Nutritional Interventions During Pregnancy Improve Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Authors

Güleren Sabuncular, Elif Akbaş, Elif Uca, Rabia Bağlayici, Döndü Kurnaz, Şule Aktaç

Published in

Journal of midwifery & women's health. Aug 14, 2026. Epub Aug 14, 2026.

Abstract

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of nutritional interventions during pregnancy on maternal and neonatal outcomes.
The review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024528918). Randomized controlled trials published between 2014 and 2024 were identified through systematic searches conducted between May and July 2024. Methodological quality was assessed using the Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, version 2, and the certainty of evidence was rated with Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation. Pooled estimates were calculated using a random-effects model.
Twenty-three trials involving 9389 participants were included. Nutritional interventions significantly increased birth weight within healthy limits and reduced the risks of low birth weight, small for gestational age, preterm birth, and gestational diabetes mellitus. No significant effects were observed for macrosomia, large for gestational age, birth length, head circumference, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, maternal anemia, cesarean birth, or neonatal intensive care unit admission. Subgroup analyses showed stronger effects for personalized counseling, interventions with 4 or more sessions, and programs including food supply.
Nutritional interventions during pregnancy are crucial for reducing major adverse outcomes such as gestational diabetes mellitus and preterm birth. Integrating structured nutritional counseling into antenatal care may contribute to improved population-level maternal and child health.

PMID:
42598865
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 14 Aug 2026.

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