Prenatal multiple micronutrient-fortified balanced energy-protein supplementation and newborn telomere length and mitochondrial DNA content: a randomized controlled efficacy trial in rural Burkina Faso

Evidence regarding the effectiveness of prenatal nutritional supplements has mainly considered anthropometric pregnancy outcomes. The effect on markers of health and disease, such as offspring telomere length (TL) and mitochondrial DNA content (mtDNAc) is unknown.

We assessed the efficacy of maternal multiple micronutrient (MMN)-fortified balanced-energy protein (BEP) and iron-folic acid (IFA) supplementation on newborn TL as a secondary outcome and mtDNAc as a non-declared outcome.

We conducted a randomized controlled trial in rural Burkina Faso, among pregnant females (15-40 years old) enrolled at < 21 weeks of gestation. Mothers received either MMN-fortified BEP and IFA (intervention) or IFA only (control) throughout pregnancy. Whole arterial blood samples were collected from the umbilical cord of 104 control and 90 intervention group infants, respectively. Average relative TL and mtDNAc were measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Linear regression models were fitted to assess TL and mtDNAc differences across trial arms.

We found that a combined daily MMN-fortified BEP supplement and IFA tablet did not affect newborn TL [β =-0.010 (95% CI:-0.057, 0.036); P = 0.662] or mtDNAc [β = 0.065 (95% CI:-0.203, 0.073); P = 0.354], as compared to an IFA tablet alone. These findings were confirmed (P > 0.05) by adjusting the regression models for potential prognostic factors of study outcomes at enrollment. Exploratory analyses indicated higher, but non-significantly different mtDNAc among children born either small-for-gestational age, low birthweight, or preterm.

Newborns from mothers who received daily nutritional supplements across gestation did not have different relative TL or mtDNAc.