Micronutrients are only needed in very small quantities but are essential for normal physiological function, growth and development. Deficiencies of micronutrients such as vitamin A, iron, iodine and folate are particularly common among during pregnancy, due to increased nutrient requirements of the mother and developing fetus. These deficiencies can negatively impact the health of the mother, her pregnancy, as well as the health of the newborn baby.
Point-of-use fortification with multiple micronutrient powders refers to the addition of powders containing vitamins and minerals to energy-containing foods at home or in any other place where meals are to be consumed, such as schools, nurseries and refugee camps.
This publication is a WHO guideline. A WHO guideline is any document, whatever its title, containing WHO recommendations about health interventions, whether they be clinical, public health or policy interventions. A recommendation provides information about what policy-makers, health-care providers or patients should do. It implies a choice between different interventions that have an impact on health and that have ramifications for the use of resources. All publications containing WHO recommendations are approved by the WHO Guidelines Review Committee.
Suggested citation:
WHO. Guideline: Use of multiple micronutrient powders for point-of-use fortification of foods consumed by pregnant women. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2016.
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