Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) Postpartum Optimized Supplementation Trial (MMS-POST)

The MMS-POST study is a 30-month clinical trial in Tanzania investigating whether different postpartum micronutrient supplementation strategies can improve infant brain development and other health outcomes during the first year of life.

The first 1,000 days of life—from conception through a child’s second birthday—are a critical period for brain development and long-term health. However, poor nutrition and micronutrient deficiencies can affect children’s development. While multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) are widely used during pregnancy, there is currently no global consensus on the most effective approach to micronutrient supplementation after childbirth.

The study will compare four postpartum supplementation strategies: iron and folic acid (IFA), standard MMS taken once daily, MMS taken twice daily, and twice-daily MMS combined with additional choline and omega-3 fatty acids. Researchers will assess whether these approaches improve infant neurodevelopment, with particular focus on brain activity measured through electroencephalography (EEG) at six months of age.

The trial will enroll 1,575 mother–infant pairs in Tanzania, with mothers and their infants followed from the first two weeks after birth through 12 months. Researchers will also assess maternal and infant nutritional status, growth, brain development and illness during the first year of life. A subset of 260 mother–infant pairs will participate in an additional brain and biomarker substudy involving biospecimen collection and low-field MRI assessments at six and 12 months.

IHI’s role

Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) will lead the overall implementation of the study at participating clinics, including participant recruitment and follow-up. IHI will also support the recruitment of research nurses and research assistants and oversee the delivery of study procedures at the clinic level.

The study is being implemented in collaboration with Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) and the Africa Academy for Public Health (AAPH), alongside international research partners. MUHAS will oversee the laboratory component and six- and 12-month assessments at Muhimbili, while AAPH will coordinate the study and manage data.

The MMS-POST study runs from February 2026 to June 2028, with field activities planned to begin in 2026. Findings from the study are expected to provide evidence to inform postpartum nutrition strategies and support efforts to improve early childhood development and maternal and infant health in Tanzania and beyond.