Co-administration of Calcium and Multiple Micronutrient Supplements for Maternal and Newborn Hemoglobin and Iron Status

Women of reproductive age in low-and-middle-income countries typically consume diets inadequate in many micronutrients. Resulting micronutrient deficiencies are further exacerbated during pregnancy by the increased demands of the developing fetus. Studies show that antenatal micronutrient supplementation can have important benefits for maternal and infant health. While WHO currently recommends daily iron and folic acid supplementation, many countries are transitioning to multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) based on evidence of its further benefit in reducing risk of low birth weight, small-for-gestational age births, stillbirths, and preterm delivery. WHO also recommends calcium supplementation for women in settings where calcium intake is low to reduce high blood pressure and prevent preeclampsia and preterm birth.

Women are instructed to take calcium supplements separately from iron-containing supplements to avoid any negative impact of calcium on iron absorption. However, evidence that calcium limits iron absorption is largely from studies of single test meals. Research on the longer-term implications of consuming the two nutrients together for iron status and hemoglobin is limited, particularly in pregnancy. This is an important research question as limiting the number of times per day that a woman needs to take supplements is likely to improve adherence to the regimen. There is also interest in designing a new MMS formulation that includes calcium such that women could take a single tablet daily.

This individually randomized controlled non-inferiority trial will enroll 1,600 women in both Burkina Faso and Pakistan (3,200 in total) to assess the impact of co-administering calcium (500 mg elemental calcium as calcium carbonate) and multiple micronutrient supplements (including 30 mg elemental iron), compared with the currently recommended practice of taking the supplements at two separate times of the day, on hematological and iron status of pregnant women and the women's infants. The sample size is based on a non-inferiority margin of -3.0 g/L, 90% power, a one-sided α=0.025, a standard deviation of 17 g/L for the primary hemoglobin outcome, and 15% loss to follow-up.

Potentially eligible women will be identified through antenatal care visits in Burkina Faso and household visits in Pakistan. For those who consent to screening, research staff will measure hemoglobin and conduct a fetal ultrasound exam. Inclusion and exclusion criteria are provided below. Research staff will obtain written documentation of informed consent.

At enrollment, women will be randomized, and research staff will collect socio-demographic data, take anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, and collect a venous blood sample. Women will receive counseling based on the randomly assigned intervention and be given a supply of study supplements. Research staff will see women monthly at antenatal visits to collect information on adherence by recall and pill count, side effects, signs/symptoms of anemia, and information on any iron treatment that women may have received between visits. Iron treatment prescribed by providers outside of the trial will also be abstracted from medical records. At the mid-pregnancy (20<24 weeks) and late pregnancy (30<34 weeks) visits, research staff will take hemoglobin (HemoCue), anthropometric and blood pressure measurements and collect venous blood samples. Women with severe anemia (<70 g/L) will be referred for treatment. Within 72 hours of birth, research staff will collect a heel prick blood sample from infants. Blood samples will be processed at antenatal clinics and transferred to central laboratories for measurement of hematological parameters, iron status, and inflammation.

Inclusion criteria

• Burkina Faso: married or unmarried pregnant women aged ≥15 years
• Pakistan: married pregnant women ≥18 years
• Willing to receive all antenatal care at a study clinic
• Willing to stop iron folic acid supplementation to receive the study intervention
• Hb ≥70 g/L
• 6<20 weeks of gestation based on fetal ultrasound

Exclusion criteria

• Burkina Faso: <15 years or unmarried pregnant women <18 years without consent from parent / guardian
• Pakistan: pregnant women <18 years.
• Unwilling to receive antenatal care at a study clinic
• Unwilling to stop iron folic acid supplementation to receive the study intervention
• Hemoglobin < 70 g/L
• <6 weeks of gestation or ≥20 weeks of gestation
• Non-viable or extrauterine pregnancy
• Any contraindications to study supplements