Comparing daily and alternate day iron supplements for pregnant women with anemia
Official title: Oral Iron Supplementation on Alternate vs. Consecutive Days for Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy
Run by Southern Illinois University · NCT06492512 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether taking iron supplements every day or every other day helps pregnant women with anemia feel better and improve their iron levels.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 4 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Southern Illinois University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Springfield, Illinois) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 27, 2025 |
| Main results expected | July 1, 2028 |
| Study ends | July 30, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | April 24, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06492512 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are pregnant women under 30 weeks gestational age with laboratory-confirmed iron-deficiency anemia.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with severe anemia requiring transfusions, other types of anemia, or certain gastrointestinal conditions may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of oral iron supplementation in pregnant women diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either daily or alternate day doses of ferrous sulfate, each containing 65 mg of elemental iron. Blood tests will be conducted at the beginning to confirm iron deficiency, and all supplements will be provided by the study team to ensure consistency. The study will also control for other iron sources by providing identical prenatal vitamins to both groups.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could optimize iron supplementation strategies for pregnant women, potentially improving maternal and fetal health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have explored iron supplementation in pregnancy, but this specific comparison of dosing schedules is less common and may provide novel insights.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Pregnant patients will be enrolled at less than 30 weeks gestational age (GA) with laboratory confirmed IDA (as defined by hemoglobin under 10.5 g/dL, as well as ferritin under 15 mcg/L) Exclusion Criteria: * Patients \<18 years old, patients who have severe IDA that requires blood transfusion or IV iron infusion, patients who have other known hemoglobinopathy (such as thalassemia or sickle cell anemia) or anemia of different mechanism (such as vitamin B12 or folate deficiency), patients with ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, gastric ulcers, patients who have previously undergone gastric bypass surgery, patients who experience admission for antepartum bleed, have been diagnosed with abnormal placentation (i.e., placenta previa, placenta accreta, placenta increta or percreta)
Where it's running
-
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Springfield, Illinois, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Yahia Zeino, MD — Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Kathleen A Groesch, MS
- Email: kgroesch@siumed.edu
- Phone: 217-545-6671
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.