Oral vs IV Iron in Pregnancy: A Larger Trial to Prevent Anemia and Transfusions
Official title: A Multicenter Randomized Trial of IV vs Oral Iron for Treating Iron-Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy
Funded at Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island · NIH-11057518 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether IV iron during pregnancy can be better than oral iron at improving anemia and reducing the need for blood transfusions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $666,167 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD105855-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11057518 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant individuals diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia who are in any trimester and are eligible for iron therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have iron-deficiency anemia or have contraindications to IV iron may not benefit.
What this research studies
If you are pregnant and have iron-deficiency anemia, this trial will compare giving iron through an IV versus by mouth to see which approach keeps anemia from worsening and lowers the chance you’ll need a blood transfusion around delivery. The researchers will enroll multiple medical centers and randomly assign participants to IV or oral iron, tracking anemia status, side effects, and outcomes for both mom and baby. The goal is to identify a delivery method that is effective, safe, and easier for patients to tolerate and adhere to throughout pregnancy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the trial could show that IV iron reduces anemia and related risks for mothers and babies, potentially changing standard care.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggested that oral iron often fails due to side effects and adherence, making IV iron a promising alternative; this trial seeks to confirm effectiveness at scale.
Where this research is happening
-
Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tuuli, Methodius Gamuo — Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island
- Study coordinator: Tuuli, Methodius Gamuo
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Using AI to improve iron deficiency treatment in pregnant individuals
This study is testing a new tool to help doctors better find and treat iron deficiency in pregnant people, especially those at higher risk for heavy bleeding after giving birth, to improve their health during and after pregnancy.
-
Iron‑deficiency anemia and its impact on brain function in late childhood
This study looks at how iron-deficiency anemia in late childhood and adolescence may affect thinking skills and brain development in young females.
-
Brain blood flow and oxygen use in adult iron deficiency anemia
This study looks at how moderate iron deficiency anemia in adults affects brain blood flow, oxygen use, and thinking abilities, and whether iron treatment can reverse any problems.
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Machine learning to predict iron deficiency risk in babies based on mom’s stress during pregnancy
A fast, data-driven approach uses a mother’s stress during pregnancy to help predict which babies might be at risk for iron deficiency anemia.
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Iron-deficiency anemia treatment plan for adults undergoing surgery
Aimed at adults having surgery, this project tests a practical plan to identify and treat iron deficiency anemia to improve recovery and reduce complications.
-
How iron-deficiency anemia in later childhood affects the brain and thinking
This project looks at girls and young women aged 12–21 with iron-deficiency anemia to see how it changes brain metabolism, blood flow, and thinking using cognitive tests and MRI scans.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.