Co-administration of Calcium and Multiple Micronutrient Supplements for Maternal and Newborn Hemoglobin and Iron Status

Launched by JOHNS HOPKINS BLOOMBERG SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH · Aug 21, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of taking calcium and iron-containing multiple micronutrient supplements together during pregnancy. The World Health Organization suggests that pregnant women should take iron to help prevent anemia, which is a condition where you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells. Calcium supplements are also recommended for women who may not be getting enough calcium in their diet. However, taking these two types of supplements at the same time can sometimes affect how well the body absorbs iron. This trial aims to see if taking them together in the morning has any negative effects on the iron levels and overall health of pregnant women and their babies.

To participate in this study, women must be pregnant and between 15 and 20 weeks along. In Burkina Faso, both married and unmarried women 15 years and older can join, while in Pakistan, only married women aged 18 and older are eligible. Participants will receive regular check-ups at the study clinic and will need to provide blood samples during their pregnancy and when their baby is born. This research is important because it could help improve the health of mothers and babies by finding the best way to take these essential supplements.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Burkina Faso: married or unmarried pregnant women aged ≥15 years
• • Pakistan: married pregnant women ≥18 years
• • Willing to receive all antenatal care at a study clinic
• • Willing to stop iron folic acid supplementation to receive the study intervention
• • Hb ≥70 g/L
• • 6\<20 weeks of gestation based on fetal ultrasound
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Burkina Faso: \<15 years or unmarried pregnant women \<18 years without consent from parent / guardian
• • Pakistan: pregnant women \<18 years.
• • Unwilling to receive antenatal care at a study clinic
• • Unwilling to stop iron folic acid supplementation to receive the study intervention
• • Hemoglobin \< 70 g/L
• • \<6 weeks of gestation or ≥20 weeks of gestation
• • Non-viable or extrauterine pregnancy
• • Any contraindications to study supplements