Trust supports national trial on iron supplementation in pregnancy

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is proud to be taking part in a new national trial, PANDA (Primary prevention of maternal ANaemia 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. 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 (NIHR).

If you would like further information on the study or would like to sign up please contact the research midwives at the hospital where you intend to give birth:

• West Middlesex University Hospital: chelwest.womenshealthresearchwmh@nhs.net
• Chelsea and Westminster Hospital: chelwest.researchmidwives@nhs.net

• Read more about the PANDA study