NIH Cites Faculty Papers for Advancing Dietary Supplement Research

The  National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Dietary Supplements, recognized groundbreaking research by CHN faculty, including  Kimberly O. O'Brien, PhD;  Laura E. Caulfield, PhD; Parul Christian, DrPH; and Keith P. West, Jr., DrPH, in the 2003 Annual Bibliography of Significant Advances in Dietary Supplement Research.

Kimberly O’Brien’s study in Peru  using two iron stable isotope tracers in 41 pregnant women, showed that maternal iron status is a major factor regulating the placental iron transfer to the fetus and happens at the level of the gut. More iron was transferred to neonates in women who did not receive iron supplements -- suggesting that the iron needs of the fetus take priority over maternal requirements. While Dr. O’Brien urges more research to characterize these mechanisms of iron transfer, the research finding, first published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, April 2003, has important implications for iron supplementation during pregnancy.  

"Maternal iron status influences iron transfer to the fetus during the third trimester of pregnancy," was written by Kimberly O. O’Brien, Nelly Zavaleta, Steven A Abrams, and Laura E. Caulfield.

Parul Christian’s research in rural Nepal showed that multiple vitamin supplements during pregnancy may not be any more effective than folic acid-iron supplements in reducing the risk of low birth weight babies. The findings, published in the British Medical Journal in March 2003,  showed that supplementation with folic-acid iron reduced the incidence of low birth weight by 16 percent and the multiple micronutrient supplements reduced low birth weight by 14 percent. Folic acid-iron-zinc supplementation and folic acid supplementation alone had no significant effect on birth size. 

Dr. Christian said the study provides important new information in the pursuit of a universal antenatal supplement in both the developing world and in disadvantaged populations in the United States.

“Effects of alternative maternal micronutrient supplements on low birth weight in rural Nepal: double blind randomized community trial” was written by Parul Christian, Subarna K Khatry, Joanne Katz, Elizabeth K Pradhan, Steven C LeClerq, Sharada Ram Shrestha, Ramesh K Adhikari, Alfred Sommer, and Keith P West, Jr.

The bibliography is distributed to health professionals, the media, scientific, legislative/regulatory and consumer organizations and can be accessed at http://ods.od.nih.gov/pubs/ODS_CHPA_Bibliography_2003.pdf.  Paper copies are available by phone (301-435-2920) or email (ods@nih.gov).

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