Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation Implementation Research in Pakistan
This project is supporting the introduction of multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) in antenatal care alongside implementation research.

Maternal and newborn nutrition saves lives and supports development and greater economic prosperity.
Maternal and newborn health are connected. Good nutrition in the first 1,000 days supports a healthy start for children, while pregnant women need good nutrition for their own and their babies' health.
Almost half of all deaths of children under five occur in the first month of life.
Maternal malnutrition can have a range of adverse effects on the health and wellbeing of both the mother and the child.
Anaemia during pregnancy has been associated with higher risks of maternal and perinatal mortality. In 2016, an estimated 35.3 million – or 40% – of all pregnant women worldwide were anaemic. This is an increase of more than two million women since 2011.
Insufficient folate levels in blood prior to conception and early in the first trimester can lead to debilitating and sometimes deadly neural tube defects. An estimated 300,000 babies are born each year with spina bifida and anencephaly – the two most common types of neural tube defects.
Maternal nutrition is critical for the health of the mother and the baby.
Iron and folic acid supplementation (IFAS) is recommended during pregnancy to reduce the risk of low birthweight, maternal anaemia, neural tube defects and preterm birth. Recent evidence shows that multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) leads to additional improved birth outcomes compared to IFAS. Nutrition International supports a combination of IFAS, MMS and nutrition counselling to improve nutrition in pregnancy.
At the global level, we advocate for the voices of women to be included in policy and programming decisions, to ensure that their needs are met. Our work includes:
Interventions for newborns increase their chance of survival and have lasting positive effects on their health.
Early and exclusive breastfeeding helps protect against childhood infections, provides optimal nutrition, supports ideal growth and is associated with reducing the prevalence of overweight, and diabetes later in life.
Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) – which includes continuous skin-to-skin contact, exclusive breastfeeding, and supportive follow up – can significantly improve the chance of survival and long-term outcomes for preterm and/or low birth weight babies.
We aim to reduce preventable newborn deaths and enhance their health and nutrition by:
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