(P11-052-25) DEUX OEUFs: Cracking the Potential of Eggs to Improve Child Growth and Development: A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) Study Protocol

Objectives: Animal-source foods such as eggs are nutrient-dense and provide high-quality protein, making them especially beneficial for pregnant and lactating women who have elevated nutritional needs. Primary objective of the study is to test the effects of a maternal nutritional intervention–consumption of two eggs per day during pregnancy–on birth length. The primary hypothesis is that children born to mothers who consume two eggs daily will have greater birth length compared to those born to mothers consuming a typical diet.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial (RCT) in rural Rwanda is enrolling 956 pregnant women, randomized into two arms: a treatment group consuming two eggs daily from 9-14 weeks of gestation until childbirth, and a control group consuming typical diet. All participants will receive standard prenatal care, fortified blended flour, health insurance, mobile phones, a daily health and nutrition message, and modest compensation. The primary outcome is the child’s length-for-age z-score at birth. Secondary outcomes include maternal health metrics and child growth and neurodevelopment assessments during pregnancy, at birth, at six weeks and six months of age.

Results: As of January 16, 2025, 444 women have been enrolled, with 97 births recorded. Enrolment is expected to conclude by August 2025. Egg consumption was noted to be low among our study population (5.5% at the baseline). Process data shows high adherence: 90.3% of women in the egg group and 90.2% in the control group attended daily sessions on at least 90% of follow-up days during pregnancy. 95.5% of women in the intervention arm consumed two eggs daily at daily sessions.

Conclusions: Deux Oeufs is the first RCT to test the effects of maternal egg consumption during pregnancy on birth length. Findings will provide evidence on the potential role of ASF supplementation to address child stunting and consequently inform policy decisions.

Funding Sources: This work was funded in whole or part by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Resilience, Environment and Food Security under Agreement # AID-OAA-L-15–00003 as part of Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Livestock Systems. Additional funding was received from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation OPP#060115. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed here are those of the authors alone.