Defining a Dosing Regimen With Maximal Absorption for Oral Iron Supplementation During Pregnancy

Plain-language summary

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is common during pregnancy and has adverse effects on the mother, fetus and newborn. Oral iron supplements are usually recommended to prevent ID/IDA during pregnancy. The aim of this study is to define an iron supplementation schedule with maximal absorption using serum hepcidin profiles and stable iron isotopes in pregnant women. In this randomized, open-label trial, fractional and total iron absorption will be compared from daily dosing with 60 mg iron versus alternate day and every third day dosing with 120 mg iron in pregnant Thai women with low iron stores (n=28) during their second trimester of pregnancy. This study could have wide impact, providing the evidence base for revised, improved recommendations for iron supplementation during pregnancy.

Who can participate

What they're measuring

Trial details