| Summary: | It is estimated that 41.8% of pregnant women worldwide are anaemic. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies in pregnancy are associated with adverse health outcomes in both the mother and her newborn. Member States have requested guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) on the effects and safety of the use of multiple micronutrient powders for home fortification of foods consumed by pregnant women in support of their efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Currently, there is no evidence available to assess the potential benefits or harms of the use of multiple micronutrient powders for home fortification of foods consumed by pregnant women with regard to maternal and infant health outcomes. This guideline provides global, evidence-informed recommendations on the use of multiple micronutrient powders for home fortification of foods consumed by pregnant women. The guideline will help Member States and their partners in their efforts to make informed decisions on the appropriate nutrition actions to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, in particular, the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger (MDG 1), reduction of child mortality (MDG 4) and improvement of maternal health (MDG 5). The guideline is intended for a wide audience including policy-makers, their expert advisers, and technical and programme staff at organizations involved in the design, implementation and scaling-up of nutrition actions for public health
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