Trial Outcomes & Findings for Feasibility or Oral Lactoferrin to Prevent Iron Deficiency Anemia in Obese Pregnancy (NCT NCT04810546)

NCT ID: NCT04810546

Last Updated: 2026-02-17

Results Overview

% of women approach and eligble who enrolled

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

23 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Recruitment duration- approximately 3 years

Results posted on

2026-02-17

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Jarrow Formulas Oral Bovine Lactoferrin Supplement
Once daily Oral Lf (250mg). Women assigned to this group will be instructed to consume an oral Lf capsule one hour prior to their afternoon meal and two prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement gummies without iron with omega-3 fatty acids before bed from early second trimester (15 - 20 WG) up through delivery. Women are advised to consume the Lf prior to meals, given our team member Valenti's unpublished work shows its superior efficacy for improving iron and hematological parameters among pregnant women with hereditary thrombophilia versus when consumed with meals. The prenatal vitamin/mineral gummies will be a commercially available product (One-a-Day Women's Prenatal Gummies with omega-3 fatty acids, Bayer Healthcare, Whippany, NJ). Women in both groups will be advised to consume an iron-rich diet and provided a handout detailing foods rich in heme and non-heme iron. Jarrow Formulas Oral Bovine Lactoferrin Supplement: Lactoferrin (Apolactoferrin) 250mg contains \~17.6 mg/100g of iron
Usual Care
Women assigned to this group will be instructed to consume a commercially available prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement with iron and omega-3 fatty acids (Prenatal 1, Bayer Healthcare, Whippany, NJ) before bed from early second trimester (15-20 WG) through delivery. To minimize variability in prenatal vitamin/supplement use across the participants, we have opted to standardize the prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement by providing women in the usual care arm a supplement that is nutritionally like what is prescribed by the Center for Women's Health providers. Women will be advised to consume an iron-rich diet and provided a handout describing foods rich in heme and non-heme iron.
Overall Study
STARTED
12
11
Overall Study
COMPLETED
7
7
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
5
4

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Feasibility or Oral Lactoferrin to Prevent Iron Deficiency Anemia in Obese Pregnancy

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Jarrow Formulas Oral Bovine Lactoferrin Supplement
n=12 Participants
Once daily Oral Lf (250mg). Women assigned to this group will be instructed to consume an oral Lf capsule one hour prior to their afternoon meal and two prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement gummies without iron with omega-3 fatty acids before bed from early second trimester (15 - 20 WG) up through delivery. Women are advised to consume the Lf prior to meals, given our team member Valenti's unpublished work shows its superior efficacy for improving iron and hematological parameters among pregnant women with hereditary thrombophilia versus when consumed with meals. The prenatal vitamin/mineral gummies will be a commercially available product (One-a-Day Women's Prenatal Gummies with omega-3 fatty acids, Bayer Healthcare, Whippany, NJ). Women in both groups will be advised to consume an iron-rich diet and provided a handout detailing foods rich in heme and non-heme iron. Jarrow Formulas Oral Bovine Lactoferrin Supplement: Lactoferrin (Apolactoferrin) 250mg contains \~17.6 mg/100g of iron
Usual Care
n=11 Participants
Women assigned to this group will be instructed to consume a commercially available prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement with iron and omega-3 fatty acids (Prenatal 1, Bayer Healthcare, Whippany, NJ) before bed from early second trimester (15-20 WG) through delivery. To minimize variability in prenatal vitamin/supplement use across the participants, we have opted to standardize the prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement by providing women in the usual care arm a supplement that is nutritionally like what is prescribed by the Center for Women's Health providers. Women will be advised to consume an iron-rich diet and provided a handout describing foods rich in heme and non-heme iron.
Total
n=23 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
5 Participants
n=25 Participants
8 Participants
n=20 Participants
13 Participants
n=45 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
1 Participants
n=25 Participants
0 Participants
n=20 Participants
1 Participants
n=45 Participants
Age, Continuous
28.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.45 • n=25 Participants
27.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.12 • n=20 Participants
27.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.19 • n=45 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
12 Participants
n=25 Participants
11 Participants
n=20 Participants
23 Participants
n=45 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants
n=25 Participants
0 Participants
n=20 Participants
0 Participants
n=45 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
6 Participants
n=25 Participants
3 Participants
n=20 Participants
9 Participants
n=45 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
2 Participants
n=25 Participants
0 Participants
n=20 Participants
2 Participants
n=45 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
n=25 Participants
0 Participants
n=20 Participants
0 Participants
n=45 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=25 Participants
0 Participants
n=20 Participants
0 Participants
n=45 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
5 Participants
n=25 Participants
8 Participants
n=20 Participants
13 Participants
n=45 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
4 Participants
n=25 Participants
2 Participants
n=20 Participants
6 Participants
n=45 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
n=25 Participants
1 Participants
n=20 Participants
1 Participants
n=45 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
1 Participants
n=25 Participants
0 Participants
n=20 Participants
1 Participants
n=45 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
12 Participants
n=25 Participants
11 Participants
n=20 Participants
23 Participants
n=45 Participants
Screening Hemoglobin g/dL12
12.18 grams per deciliter
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.58 • n=25 Participants
12.2 grams per deciliter
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.44 • n=20 Participants
12.19 grams per deciliter
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.51 • n=45 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Recruitment duration- approximately 3 years

Population: Number of women eligible and approached.

% of women approach and eligble who enrolled

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Overall Goal Was > 30% of Women Eligible Who Were Approached
n=230 Participants
overall recruitment rate for the study with a goal of recruiting \>= 30% of those approached who were eligible
Usual Care
Women assigned to this group will be instructed to consume a commercially available prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement with iron and omega-3 fatty acids (Prenatal 1, Bayer Healthcare, Whippany, NJ) before bed from early second trimester (15-20 WG) through delivery. To minimize variability in prenatal vitamin/supplement use across the participants, we have opted to standardize the prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement by providing women in the usual care arm a supplement that is nutritionally like what is prescribed by the Center for Women's Health providers. Women will be advised to consume an iron-rich diet and provided a handout describing foods rich in heme and non-heme iron.
Recruitment Feasibility
10 percentage eligible and enrolled

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 8 months

Hand pill counts by the investigational drug service to determine % days compliant while enrolled in the trial

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Overall Goal Was > 30% of Women Eligible Who Were Approached
n=11 Participants
overall recruitment rate for the study with a goal of recruiting \>= 30% of those approached who were eligible
Usual Care
Women assigned to this group will be instructed to consume a commercially available prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement with iron and omega-3 fatty acids (Prenatal 1, Bayer Healthcare, Whippany, NJ) before bed from early second trimester (15-20 WG) through delivery. To minimize variability in prenatal vitamin/supplement use across the participants, we have opted to standardize the prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement by providing women in the usual care arm a supplement that is nutritionally like what is prescribed by the Center for Women's Health providers. Women will be advised to consume an iron-rich diet and provided a handout describing foods rich in heme and non-heme iron.
Participant Adherence to Lactoferrin - Interventiom Arm
82.1 percentage of days adherent
Standard Deviation 12.9

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 8 months

% of women retained by study arm through the end of the study (labor and delivery)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Overall Goal Was > 30% of Women Eligible Who Were Approached
n=12 Participants
overall recruitment rate for the study with a goal of recruiting \>= 30% of those approached who were eligible
Usual Care
n=11 Participants
Women assigned to this group will be instructed to consume a commercially available prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement with iron and omega-3 fatty acids (Prenatal 1, Bayer Healthcare, Whippany, NJ) before bed from early second trimester (15-20 WG) through delivery. To minimize variability in prenatal vitamin/supplement use across the participants, we have opted to standardize the prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement by providing women in the usual care arm a supplement that is nutritionally like what is prescribed by the Center for Women's Health providers. Women will be advised to consume an iron-rich diet and provided a handout describing foods rich in heme and non-heme iron.
Participant Retention
58 percentage of participants retained
63 percentage of participants retained

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: interval of 5-6 months

% change in C-reactive protein from baseline to third trimester measured in serum at baseline and in the third trimester of pregnancy

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Overall Goal Was > 30% of Women Eligible Who Were Approached
n=10 Participants
overall recruitment rate for the study with a goal of recruiting \>= 30% of those approached who were eligible
Usual Care
n=7 Participants
Women assigned to this group will be instructed to consume a commercially available prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement with iron and omega-3 fatty acids (Prenatal 1, Bayer Healthcare, Whippany, NJ) before bed from early second trimester (15-20 WG) through delivery. To minimize variability in prenatal vitamin/supplement use across the participants, we have opted to standardize the prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement by providing women in the usual care arm a supplement that is nutritionally like what is prescribed by the Center for Women's Health providers. Women will be advised to consume an iron-rich diet and provided a handout describing foods rich in heme and non-heme iron.
% Change in C-reactive Protein mg/L Between Baseline and Third Trimester
-10.4 percentage of change from baseline
Standard Deviation 44.5
26.6 percentage of change from baseline
Standard Deviation 91.9

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Following delivery of the neonate

measured from cord blood obtained following labor and delivery

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Overall Goal Was > 30% of Women Eligible Who Were Approached
n=6 Participants
overall recruitment rate for the study with a goal of recruiting \>= 30% of those approached who were eligible
Usual Care
n=5 Participants
Women assigned to this group will be instructed to consume a commercially available prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement with iron and omega-3 fatty acids (Prenatal 1, Bayer Healthcare, Whippany, NJ) before bed from early second trimester (15-20 WG) through delivery. To minimize variability in prenatal vitamin/supplement use across the participants, we have opted to standardize the prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement by providing women in the usual care arm a supplement that is nutritionally like what is prescribed by the Center for Women's Health providers. Women will be advised to consume an iron-rich diet and provided a handout describing foods rich in heme and non-heme iron.
Cord Ferritin ng/mL
177.67 ng/mL
Standard Deviation 190.46
133.40 ng/mL
Standard Deviation 98.85

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Following delivery of the neonate

Cord CBC. Cord CBC which includes Hb, will at following labor and delivery

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Overall Goal Was > 30% of Women Eligible Who Were Approached
n=6 Participants
overall recruitment rate for the study with a goal of recruiting \>= 30% of those approached who were eligible
Usual Care
n=4 Participants
Women assigned to this group will be instructed to consume a commercially available prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement with iron and omega-3 fatty acids (Prenatal 1, Bayer Healthcare, Whippany, NJ) before bed from early second trimester (15-20 WG) through delivery. To minimize variability in prenatal vitamin/supplement use across the participants, we have opted to standardize the prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement by providing women in the usual care arm a supplement that is nutritionally like what is prescribed by the Center for Women's Health providers. Women will be advised to consume an iron-rich diet and provided a handout describing foods rich in heme and non-heme iron.
Cord Hemoglobin g/dl
14.93 g/dL
Standard Deviation 0.77
14.05 g/dL
Standard Deviation 1.32

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: interval of 5-6 months

% change in maternal ferritin measured from serum obtained at baseline and the third trimester of pregnancy

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Overall Goal Was > 30% of Women Eligible Who Were Approached
n=10 Participants
overall recruitment rate for the study with a goal of recruiting \>= 30% of those approached who were eligible
Usual Care
n=7 Participants
Women assigned to this group will be instructed to consume a commercially available prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement with iron and omega-3 fatty acids (Prenatal 1, Bayer Healthcare, Whippany, NJ) before bed from early second trimester (15-20 WG) through delivery. To minimize variability in prenatal vitamin/supplement use across the participants, we have opted to standardize the prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement by providing women in the usual care arm a supplement that is nutritionally like what is prescribed by the Center for Women's Health providers. Women will be advised to consume an iron-rich diet and provided a handout describing foods rich in heme and non-heme iron.
% Change in Maternal Ferritin ng/mL
-17.4 percentage of change from baseline
Standard Deviation 135.8
-75.0 percentage of change from baseline
Standard Deviation 12.0

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: interval of 5-6 months

measured from whole blood at baseline and in the third trimester of pregnancy

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Overall Goal Was > 30% of Women Eligible Who Were Approached
n=10 Participants
overall recruitment rate for the study with a goal of recruiting \>= 30% of those approached who were eligible
Usual Care
n=7 Participants
Women assigned to this group will be instructed to consume a commercially available prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement with iron and omega-3 fatty acids (Prenatal 1, Bayer Healthcare, Whippany, NJ) before bed from early second trimester (15-20 WG) through delivery. To minimize variability in prenatal vitamin/supplement use across the participants, we have opted to standardize the prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement by providing women in the usual care arm a supplement that is nutritionally like what is prescribed by the Center for Women's Health providers. Women will be advised to consume an iron-rich diet and provided a handout describing foods rich in heme and non-heme iron.
% Change in Maternal Hemoglobin mg/dl
8.0 percentage of change from baseline
Standard Deviation 8.6
6.1 percentage of change from baseline
Standard Deviation 8.3

Adverse Events

Jarrow Formulas Oral Bovine Lactoferrin Supplement

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 11 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Usual Care

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 8 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Jarrow Formulas Oral Bovine Lactoferrin Supplement
n=12 participants at risk
Once daily Oral Lf (250mg). Women assigned to this group will be instructed to consume an oral Lf capsule one hour prior to their afternoon meal and two prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement gummies without iron with omega-3 fatty acids before bed from early second trimester (15 - 20 WG) up through delivery. Women are advised to consume the Lf prior to meals, given our team member Valenti's unpublished work shows its superior efficacy for improving iron and hematological parameters among pregnant women with hereditary thrombophilia versus when consumed with meals. The prenatal vitamin/mineral gummies will be a commercially available product (One-a-Day Women's Prenatal Gummies with omega-3 fatty acids, Bayer Healthcare, Whippany, NJ). Women in both groups will be advised to consume an iron-rich diet and provided a handout detailing foods rich in heme and non-heme iron. Jarrow Formulas Oral Bovine Lactoferrin Supplement: Lactoferrin (Apolactoferrin) 250mg contains \~17.6 mg/100g of iron
Usual Care
n=11 participants at risk
Women assigned to this group will be instructed to consume a commercially available prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement with iron and omega-3 fatty acids (Prenatal 1, Bayer Healthcare, Whippany, NJ) before bed from early second trimester (15-20 WG) through delivery. To minimize variability in prenatal vitamin/supplement use across the participants, we have opted to standardize the prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement by providing women in the usual care arm a supplement that is nutritionally like what is prescribed by the Center for Women's Health providers. Women will be advised to consume an iron-rich diet and provided a handout describing foods rich in heme and non-heme iron.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Non-serious AE
58.3%
7/12 • Number of events 24 • 8 months
36.4%
4/11 • Number of events 4 • 8 months
Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions
Obstetrics ER visit non-Gastrointestinal
33.3%
4/12 • Number of events 4 • 8 months
36.4%
4/11 • Number of events 4 • 8 months

Additional Information

Mary Dawn Koenig

University of Illinois Chicago

Phone: 312-996-7942

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place