Short-term nutrition education reduces low birthweight and improves pregnancy outcomes among urban poor women in Bangladesh.

BackgroundMaternal malnutrition and poor gestational weight gain are the most important causes of low birthweight and infant mortality in Bangladesh.ObjectiveTo assess the effect of short-term nutrition education on weight gain in the third trimester of pregnancy, birth outcomes, and breastfeeding.MethodsThree hundred pregnant women participated in this randomized, controlled trial during a 3-month intervention period. The study was conducted in two antenatal clinics in urban Dhaka. One group of women was given monthly education sessions during the third trimester of pregnancy to promote consumption of khichuri, while the control group received only routine services from the health facilities. Birthweight was recorded within 24 hours after delivery. Breastfeeding practices were observed for 1 month after delivery.ResultsIn the intervention group, maternal weight gain in the third trimester was 60% higher (8.60 vs. 5.38 kg, p = .011), mean birthweight was 20% higher (2.98 vs. 2.49 kg, p < .001), the rate o...