The effect of moringa leaves on pregnancy on growth and morbidity of 6–11 month

Abstract

Objective

This study was conducted to assess the effect of ML supplementation in women during pregnancy and lactation on growth and morbidity of 6–11 month-old infants.

Method

This study was an intervention study and followed with Cohort to the infants at 6–11 month-old. The subjects were pregnant women who were divided into three groups: a group who received ML powder (MLP, n = 103), a group receiving ML extract (MLE, n = 94), and a group consuming iron folic acid (IFA, n = 111). Growth and morbidity measurement were assessed each month. The data was analyzed using ANOVA test and Chi-squares.

Results

The study showed that prevalence of malnutrition at 6–11 month-old infants ranged from 7.8% to 14.9% for malnutrition and 2.6–7.1% of wasting and there were not significantly different among all age groups (p > 0.05). Moreover, prevalence of stunting was 26.3–40.9% and there were significant difference among groups in some age periods. The prevalence of stunting was significantly lower in IFA compared to MLP and MLE groups (p < 0.05). Diarrhea and upper respiratory infection were found but lower across the age periods (0.65–4.55%).

Conclusion

The study concluded that ML supplement in pregnant and lactating women could not protect infants from stunting.