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Maternal health and nutrition experts have stated that taking Multiple Micronutrient Supplements daily during pregnancy can reduce the risk of congenital birth defects, maternal anaemia, low birth weight, and stillbirth.
The experts noted that MMS, which contains 13 to 15 essential vitamins and minerals, is more effective than the iron and folic acid supplements previously prescribed to pregnant women in Nigeria.
Speaking with PUNCH Healthwise, the Second Vice President of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria, Professor Christopher Aimakhu, stated that MMS is now highly recommended for pregnant women because it benefits both the mother and the baby.
“Many women have nutritional deficiencies. Some simply do not eat well. Iron and folic acid alone are not sufficient during pregnancy. For example, MMS contains nutrients such as folic acid, iron, zinc, and iodine, among many others. Iodine is particularly important for proper thyroid function, while the combination of nutrients supports numerous physiological processes during pregnancy.”
He explained that MMS helps prevent neural tube defects, low birth weight, and other congenital abnormalities, adding that some formulations have also been shown to contain nutrients that may help reduce the risk of conditions such as pre-eclampsia.
He cautioned, however, that MMS is not a substitute for a healthy diet. “The supplements are exactly that — supplements. They are not a substitute for a healthy, balanced diet. They simply help provide additional nutrients that support pregnancy and fetal development,” he stated.
Also speaking, Professor Beatrice Ogunba, a Professor of Public Health Nutrition at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, stated that since roughly 61 per cent of pregnant women in Nigeria suffer from anaemia, every expectant mother should take MMS.
“Iron and folic acid are among the fifteen essential vitamins and minerals found in MMS. When it comes to preventing low birth weight, maternal anaemia, and other pregnancy issues, MMS has been shown to be safer and more effective than conventional iron supplements.”
She added that MMS addresses nutritional gaps caused by monotonous diets frequently made worse by poverty, describing it as “a comprehensive safety net for low-income and vulnerable pregnant women.”
Professor Beatrice clarified, however, that MMS cannot prevent all birth defects, as genetic factors, environmental exposures, or other conditions unrelated to maternal nutrition cause some.
Nigeria has a maternal mortality rate of 512 per 100,000 live births, according to the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018.
The National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey 2024 revealed that many pregnant women in the country suffer from deficiencies in iron, zinc, Vitamin A, folate, and other essential nutrients.
