There is a need for more trials especially in populations with high rates of maternal undernutrition.

It has been suggested that maternal undernutrition results in adjustment of the sex ratio at birth, favouring females.

Background: Animal models have demonstrated that maternal undernutrition or early gestation glucocorticoid exposure induces endothelial dysfunction in the offspring.

Low birth weight (LBW), an outcome of maternal undernutrition, is a major public health concern in Bangladesh where the problem is most prominent.