Abstract

The pre-natal environment as well as the health of women during pregnancy is vital to the survival, health, development, growth and longevity of their offspring. Taking folic acid before and during pregnancy has been shown to help prevent fetal birth defects of the central nervous system, specifically neural tube defects [1]. Developing countries have an extraordinary high level of stunted growth rates in children. Evidence suggests that this is the result of malnutrition during the mother’s pregnancy, as well as in the infant, up to three years after delivery. Stunted growth in children and low birth weight are major public health challenges and these are therefore a national priority in some developing countries. In particular, great efforts have been made to address this problem in several parts of Africa where lipid-based nutrient supplements have been provided to pregnant and lactating women as well as for their offspring in order to promote the healthy development of children.