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Moringa
Moringa
Given Antepartum
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A Research Proposal
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By:
Co-Author:
Breast milk contains essential nutrients completely suitable for the infant's needs. It is
also nature's first immunization, enabling the infant to fight potential serious infection. It
contains growth factors that enhance the maturation of an infant's organ systems. (1)
Breastfeeding has distinct advantages which benefit the infant and the mother. It is the
first preventive health measure that can be given to the child at birth and also develops mother-
infant relationship. It is promoted by the DOH and WHO to be given exclusively to all
Most mothers after initiating expression of breast milk on the first few days postpartum
complain of insufficient volume of breast milk. According to Nichols F.H., it takes 3-4 days
postpartum for the establishment of adequate milk supply. Given this condition, mothers
prompted to use milk formula, shift to bottle-feeding and discontinue breastfeeding. Earlier
onset of lactation will be of much help in promoting successful exclusive breastfeeding. This
Malunggay (Moringa Oleifera) leaves used in chicken and shellfish soups have been
utilized by generations of Filipino mothers to enhance breast milk production. It is one of the
most studied herbs in the Philippines, but usually promoted to be given postpartum to induce
Malunggay leaves have been in the form of Malunggay capsule. One Malunggay
capsule is equivalent to 250 mg of malunggay leaves. It is given one capsule daily 2 weeks
prior to delivery and one to two capsules daily throughout breastfeeding period.
aims on giving Malunggay capsule as early as 37 weeks age of gestation to induce early onset
of lactation.
Research Question:
Are Malunggay capsules effective in inducing early lactation when given antepartum?
General Objective:
antepartum
Specific Objectives:
To determine the onset of breast milk production after delivery on patients given
A) every hour
B) first 24 hours
C) 48 hours
D) 72 hours
To compare the onset of breast milk production between those given with malunggay
Some babies die after birth because they were not breastfed
delivery and about 3 – 4 hours after delivery by caesarean section. Providing breast milk within
the first hour after delivery can save up to 22% of infants from death and about 16% when they
are breastfed within the first day thus, decreasing the rate of infant mortality
significantly. Infants who were given early breastfeeding will have the opportunity to be more
This study aims on giving a galactogogue in the form of malunggay capsules during the
The protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding rank among the most effective
(WHO), it is estimated that high coverage of optimal breastfeeding practices could avert 13%
of the 10.6 million yearly deaths of children five years old and below. (5)
Human milk is widely recognized as the optimal source of nutrition for all infants.
Breast milk promotes development of the infant's immune system and meets the nutritional
needs of a full-term infant until approximately six months of age, when complementary foods
requires regular removal of milk and stimulation of the nipple, which triggers prolactin release
from the anterior pituitary gland and oxytocin from the posterior pituitary gland. In the absence
Most women begin to produce large volumes of breast milk by two to three days after
delivery, although this can occur as late as seven or more days after delivery. Healthy women
who exclusively breastfeed produce approximately 750 to 800 mL (24 to 26 ounces) of milk
per day after two to four weeks, when lactation is fully established. However, milk volume
varies and can range from 450 to 1200 mL or more (15 to 40 ounces) per day.
Because perceived or actual low milk supply is one of the most common reasons given
for discontinuing breastfeeding, 1–8 both mothers and health professionals have sought
information regarding more serious potential side effects of some galactogogues have resulted
drugs and herbs. In 2004, the previous version of this protocol used existing evidence that
prescription of galactogogues were effective and described when and how to use them. (4)
Malunggay (Moringa oleifera) leaves contain vitamins, minerals, and essential amino
Philippines where it is called malunggay. Its medicinal parts are the leaves, roots, pod and
flowers. It is planted throughout the country in settled areas at low and medium altitude.
commercially. Studies have shown higher prolactin levels after 48 hours in breastfeeding
mothers and significant weight gain among babies and increase in the volume of breast milk.
A large number of reports on the nutritional qualities of Moringa now exist in both the
scientific and the popular literature. Any readers who are familiar with Moringa will recognize
the oft-reproduced characterization made many years ago by the Trees for Life organization,
that “ounce-for-ounce, Moringa leaves contain more Vitamin A than carrots, more calcium
bananas,” and that the protein quality of Moringa leaves rivals that of milk and eggs. (2)
A double-blind study done by Estrella, M.D., et. Al on the use of moringa for the
augmentation of the volume of breast milk among mothers of pre-term infants, demonstrated
increase in the volume of milk expressed by mothers on the 3rd to the 5th postpartum day given
Moringa oleifera capsules compared to those given placebo. They found that those who
consumed commercially available capsules with 250mg of moringa leaves twice daily, had a
treatment.
controlled trial on Moringa oleifera as galactogogue for breastfeeding mothers. They concluded
that moringa can result in a significant increase in breastmilk volume on day 7. It also results
in improvement in the infant’s weight gain. Of the five randomized trials they reviewed, they
concluded that Moringa oleifera is safe with minimal to no adverse effects as reported by all
galactosemia, in severe maternal conditions such as heart failure, serious kidney, liver or lung
disease and rarely from a few maternal drugs including amethopterin, thiouracil and radioactive
Another study done by Yabes-Almirante, M.D, et. Al, determined a causal relationship
of moringa capsule intake with increased milk production by demonstrating increased serum
prolactin levels. They concluded that malunggay capsules do enhance lactation among
breastfeeding mothers and there were no reported adverse effects from the study. (6)
4. Breastfeeding = is feeding of infants or young children with breast milk from human
breasts
receive the new treatment are compared to those of people assigned to receive no
treatment at all. The question is whether the new treatment produces any benefit at all,
over and above change due to the passage of time or the effects of participating in a
study.
6. Fixed Block Size = participants are first classified into groups (blocks) of a fixed
length (usually 4, 6, or 8), on the basis of a variable that the experimenter wishes to
control. Individuals within each block are then randomly assigned to one of several
treatment groups.
Sample Population:
All primigravid patients consulting for prenatal check-ups are the target population of
the study.
Inclusion criteria:
All primigravid patients at 19-35 years of age, at least 37 weeks age of gestation with
Exclusion criteria:
Pregnant women with maternal conditions that would have an effect on breast milk
extra-pulmonary spread of TB, Rubella, renal problems, retracted nipples, anemia, and
pneumonia)
Sampling Design:
Sampling design is a simple comparison using the with and without intervention modality. The
subjects with intervention group refer to the test subjects which will be given 1 malunggay
capsule twice a day starting 37 weeks age of gestation. The subjects without intervention group
refer to control subjects of those who don’t have the above treatment (malunggay capsule).
At least 38 research subjects will be identified as experimental or test group while another 38
subjects will be selected as control group. Sample size is based on the average number of
size.
Total
Monthly Number of Primigravid Multigravid
Deliveries
January 2016 74 25 49
February 2016 64 32 32
March 2016 78 27 51
April 2016 65 33 32
May 2016 67 43 24
June 2016 66 33 33
July 2016 70 37 33
August 2016 69 30 39
September 2016 91 41 50
October 2016 81 42 39
November 2016 64 26 38
December 2016 86 51 35
Total 875 420 455
Average 73 35 38
Slovins formula:
Where:
note: an additional 10% (8) on the computed sample size is required to address the non-
Subjects will be equally divided into two groups, Subject T (Test) and Subject C
(Control). The subjects will be selected using blocked randomization. The subjects will be
randomized with a fixed block size of 4 by the researcher, then the subjects can be allocated in
any of the orders: TTCC, TCTC, CTCT, TCCT, CTTC, or CCTT. The order is chosen
The researcher uses a no-treatment comparison condition. Those who are under
preparation 250 mg every 12 hours starting 37 weeks age of gestation. Intake of the malunggay
capsules will be discontinued once the mother had the onset of breast milk production. Those
who are under Subjects C, malunggay capsules will not be given and the onset of breast milk
After delivery, the newborn baby is allowed to suck from the mother’s breast and must
check if the milk drips from the mother’s breast. Furthermore, the mothers will be instructed
to note and record the onset of breast milk production. Subjects who do not have onset of breast
milk production during admission will continue to note and record the onset of breast milk
production at home. Subjects T will be given compliance diary to ensure compliance on taking
malunggay capsule at home and another record sheet to document the onset of breast milk
production. Subjects C will also be given a record sheet to note and record the onset of breast
milk production at home. The researcher will follow up the subjects daily through a telephone
call. The subjects can choose a time that is most convenient for them to accept the call. The
record sheet will be checked at once after the onset of breast milk production is determined.
allowed. Subjects with co-interventions can be monitored thru the mother’s food and intake
Data Analysis
The t-test for independent groups will be employed to test the hypothesis that there is a
significant difference in the lactation of the two groups. T-test for independent samples is used
for small samples. The demographic and clinical profile characteristics of patients will be
analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation and frequency
This study aims on giving a galactogogue in the form of malunggay capsules during the
early onset of lactation is warranted, we could recommend early intake of malunggay capsule
The research protocol will be submitted to the Department Research Committee and
San Pedro Hospital’s Institutional Review board for technical and ethics review, respectively.
purpose, nature, and procedure of the research will be explained to the patient by the researcher.
After which, informed written consent will be secured. Upon enrollment to the study, the
patient will be interviewed for their sociodemographics and clinical profile. The following data
will be collected: age of the patient, gravidity and parity, age of gestation.
Once eligible, subjects will be asked to sign an informed consent before involving them
in the study.
To determine the onset of breast milk production after delivery on patients given
every hour
first 24 hours
48 hours
72 hours
To compare the onset of breast milk production between those given with malunggay
All primigravid patients at 19-35 years of age, at least 37 weeks age of gestation with
Pregnant women with maternal conditions that would have an effect on breast milk
extra-pulmonary spread of TB, Rubella, renal problems, fever, retracted nipples, anemia, and
pneumonia)
Disclosure of Procedures
Subjects will be equally divided into two groups, Subject T (Test) and Subject C
(Control). The subjects will be selected using blocked randomization. The subjects will be
randomized with a fixed block size of 4, then the subjects can be allocated in any of the orders:
TTCC, TCTC, CTCT, TCCT, CTTC, or CCTT. The order is chosen randomly at the beginning
of the block.
The researcher uses a no-treatment comparison condition. Those who are under
Subjects T will be instructed to take 1 malunggay capsule twice a day starting 37 weeks age of
gestation. Intake of the malunggay capsules will be discontinued once the mother had the onset
of breast milk production. Those who are under Subjects C, malunggay capsules will not be
given and the onset of breast milk production will be determined and recorded.
After delivery, the newborn baby is allowed to suck from the mother’s breast and must
tcheck if the milk drips from the breast. Furthermore, the mothers will be instructed to note and
record the onset of breast milk production. Subjects who do not have onset of breast milk
production during admission will continue to note and record the onset of breast milk
production at home. Subjects T will be given compliance diary to ensure compliance on taking
malunggay capsule at home and another record sheet to document the onset of breast milk
production. Subjects C will also be given a record sheet to note and record the onset of breast
milk production at home. The researcher will follow up the subjects daily through a telephone
record sheet will be checked at once after the onset of breast milk production is determined.
Co-interventions such as multivitamins and malunggay containing food and soup are
allowed. Subjects with co-interventions can be monitored thru the mother’s food and intake
There may not be any benefit for the subject but subject’s participation is likely to help us find
the answer to the research question. The future generations are likely to benefit from this study.
Side Effects
As already mentioned, this drug has no known side effects. However, we will follow
the subjects closely and keep track if any unwanted effects or any problems may arise. In case
of adverse effects occur, the researcher will shoulder the cost of the medical treatment.
Risks
By participating in this research, it is possible that the subject will be at greater risk
than they would otherwise be. There is, for example, a risk that the subject will have breast
engorgement and breast pain due to expansion and pressure exerted by the synthesis and
possibility. The researcher will try to decrease the chances of this event occurring, but if
something unexpected happens, the researcher will provide pain reliever to the subject and
The primary concern of the investigator is the safety of the research subjects including
the baby. The primary investigator uses all available information to identify potential risks to
the subject, to establish means of minimizing those risks, and to continually monitor the
ongoing research for adverse events experienced by subjects. The primary investigator is
after the participant had the opportunity to carefully consider the risks and benefits and to ask
any pertinent questions. Informed consent should be seen as an ongoing process, not a single
The primary investigator protects the subjects’ privacy and confidentiality. To prevent
the disclosure of, or unauthorized access to, data that can be linked to a subject’s individual
identity, the all demographic profile and informed consent forms will be kept in a locker. Only
the primary investigator will have the access to the key of the said locker.
In cases of adverse events, the primary investigator will provide care for the participant
injured in a study for example; high BP, fever, etc. Adverse events are considered related to
malunggay intake if there is a sudden reaction upon onset of intake. It is important to note the
The subject does not have to take part in this research if the subject does not wish to do
so. The subject may also stop participating in the research at any time the subject choose. All
Confidentiality
The information that the researcher collect from this research project will be kept
confidential. The information about the subject that will be collected during the research, will
be put away and no-one but the researcher will be able to see it. Any information about the
subject will have a number on it instead of the subject’s name. Only the researcher will know
the number of the subject and will lock that information up with a lock and key. It will not be
The knowledge that we get from doing this research will be shared with the subjects before it
is made widely available to the public. Confidential information will not be shared.
The research takes place starting at 37 weeks age of gestation until onset of lactation.
Authorship
Contributorship
Source of Funding
Contact Details
09235388053
082-227-71-12
09228701713
09776743851
C2 6 44
C3 41 45
C4 8 10
C5 3 0
C6 29 57
C7 2 25
C8 5 12
C9 4 50
C10 17 28
C11 3 7
C12 21 37
C13 24 46
C14 19 34
C15 3 50
C16 4 22
C17 6 56
C18 14 56
C19 40 41
C21 41 13
C22 23 59
C23 31 0
C24 12 14
C25 10 7
C26 9 18
C27 37 11
C28 38 24
C29 5 49
C30 5 26
C31 21 18
C32 45 0
C33 3 48
C34 9 55
C35 9 24
C36 8 0
C37 9 19
C38 7 9
T2 30 32
T3 9 48
T4 5 35
T5 48 0
T6 24 0
T7 57 35
T8 0 0
T9 40 17
T10 22 24
T11 23 46
T12 3 52
T13 75 38
T14 8 4
T15 29 30
T16 5 38
T17 12 0
T18 7 40
T19 56 59
T20 41 5
T21 36 29
T22 68 40
T24 45 38
T25 20 22
T26 48 0
T27 11 58
T28 60 11
T29 3 30
T30 11 57
T31 92 22
T32 11 2
T33 25 21
T34 21 0
T35 26 51
T36 13 31
T37 7 0
T38 16 0
USA 21205-2185)
at: http://www.wpro.who.int/NR/rdonlyres/2931B641-DD16-487B-A979-
DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE
DATE:
CONTROL NUMBER:
OBSTETRICAL SCORE:
AGE OF GESTATION:
CONTACT NUMBER:
SIGNATURE:
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
24
48
72
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INTAKE OF
MALUNGGAY
DATE FOOD INTAKE SIGNATURE
CAPSULE
(YES OR NO)
______________________________
_____________________________
STUDY BUDGET
Total 19,008.00