Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39833730›Full record

ArticleBMC pregnancy and childbirth2025

International expert consensus on micronutrient supplement use during the early life course.

Irene Cetin, Roland Devlieger, Erika Isolauri, Rima Obeid, Francesca Parisi, Stefan Pilz, Lenie van Rossem, Maternal Nutrition Delphi Study Group, Régine Steegers-Theunissen

Abstract readConsensus Statement
In one paragraph

Article in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
9citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

9 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Irene CetinDepartment of Women, Mother and Neonate, "Vittore Buzzi" Children's Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Roland DevliegerDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Erika IsolauriDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Turku, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
Rima ObeidDepartment of Clinical Chemistry, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany.
Francesca ParisiDepartment of Women, Mother and Neonate, "Vittore Buzzi" Children's Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Stefan PilzDepartment of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Lenie van RossemDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, Rotterdam, 3015 CE, Netherlands.
Maternal Nutrition Delphi Study Group
Régine Steegers-TheunissenDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, Rotterdam, 3015 CE, Netherlands. r.steegers@erasmusmc.nl.

Funding

Procter & Gamble Not applicable
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGrowing evidence demonstrates that maternal nutrition is crucial for the health of the mother-to-be, and early life course of the offspring. However, for most micronutrients, guidelines are inconsistent. This Delphi study aimed to investigate the level of expert consensus on maternal nutrition and micronutrient needs during preconception, pregnancy and lactation.

methodsWe conducted a two-round web-based Delphi survey on various topics including general approaches to diet and supplement use, and existing guidelines. For the periods of preconception, pregnancy and lactation, questions focused on the importance and strength of evidence for supplement use with the following micronutrients for low- and high-risk populations: folic acid, choline, iodine, magnesium, calcium, iron, selenium, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, D and K.

resultsThirty-five experts participated in the panel, who were healthcare professionals (HCPs), researchers and joint HCP-researchers with expertise in nutrition, gynaecology and/or obstetrics. Panellists reached consensus on the importance of diet and dietary supplement use during pregnancy and agreed on the lack of clarity and consistency in current guidelines, and the need for education in these areas for HCPs, pregnant people and the general population. For general low-risk populations, there was consensus on the importance of supplement use with iron and vitamin D from preconception through lactation, with folic acid and iodine from preconception through the second and third trimesters, respectively, with DHA from the first trimester through lactation and with calcium during lactation. Panellists agreed that the evidence for supplement use with each of these micronutrients during these phases to improve outcomes and/or foetal development is strong, except for vitamin D (preconception), DHA (first trimester), and iron (both periods). There was also consensus that supplement use advice should be tailored for people following vegan/vegetarian diets, restricted diets due to food intolerances, obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and previous nutrition-related pregnancy complications.

conclusionThe findings revealed robust consensus on various aspects of maternal nutrition, including the need for education, the lack of consistency in current guidelines on supplement use, the importance of supplement use across specific phases of pregnancy and the at-risk groups requiring tailored approaches.

Indexed as

Dietary SupplementsMaternal Nutritional Physiological PhenomenaMicronutrientsConsensusDelphi TechniqueFemaleHumansLactationPreconception CarePregnancyPrenatal CareMicronutrientsGuidelinesLactationMaternal dietPreconceptionPregnancyTrace-elementsVitamins

Identifiers

PMID39833730
PMCPMC11744953

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.