Researchers in Indonesia tested whether giving pregnant and nursing mothers special crackers made with chicken liver and eggshells would help their babies grow better. They compared 274 mother-baby pairs - half got the special crackers, half got regular crackers. Both groups also received nutrition education and iron supplements. After following the babies for 5 months, they found no difference in growth between the two groups. However, all babies in the study grew better than expected, suggesting that the combination of education, healthcare, and support may have helped overall.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether special crackers made with chicken liver and eggshells could help babies of pregnant and nursing mothers grow better
- Who participated: 274 pregnant women aged 19-35 and their babies in Indonesian villages, followed from early pregnancy through 5 months after birth
- Key finding: The special crackers didn’t make babies grow any better than regular crackers, but all babies in the study grew better than usual
- What it means for you: Special foods alone may not be enough - comprehensive support including education and healthcare might be more important for healthy pregnancy outcomes