The PANDA, or Primary prevention of maternal Anaemia trial, is seeking to avoid preterm Delivery and other Adverse outcomes.
Led by NHS Blood and Transplant and the University of Oxford, the study is investigating whether routine iron supplementation in pregnancy can prevent anaemia and reduce the risk of complications such as stillbirth, pre-term birth, postnatal depression and post-partum haemorrhage.
Anaemia affects around one in three pregnant women and is linked to fatigue, infections, low birth weight and potential developmental issues in babies.
The PANDA trial aims to understand whether taking iron early in pregnancy—before anaemia develops—can improve outcomes for mothers and babies.
The trial is open to women in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy and participants will be randomly given either iron or placebo tablets to take daily during pregnancy and for six weeks after birth.
Researchers will assess outcomes including anaemia rates, birth complications and child development.
This study is being funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
Radio Jackie’s Esme Agius-Kensell has been speaking with Lauren Trepte, the Clinical Trials Team Leader for Women’s Health Research at West Middlesex Hospital in Isleworth.
To find out more, or sign up, contact West Middlesex University Hospital: chelwest.womenshealthresearchwmh@nhs.net
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital: chelwest.researchmidwives@nhs.net
