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NCT Number: NCT06081114

Micronutrient Dose Response Study in Bangladesh

The recommended daily amounts of vitamins and minerals, referred to as micronutrients, are based on data from high income settings and for healthy populations do not fully correct nutritional deficiencies in undernourished settings. This study will determine the minimum acceptable doses across a range of nutrients at which sufficiency is achieved with supplementation using biochemical indicators of nutritional status in non-pregnant (non-lactating) women of reproductive age and pregnant women in Bangladesh. In this double-masked randomized controlled trial, a dose response study will be undertaken using increasing levels of doses provided as supplements to women (pregnant or non-pregnant) with nutritional indicators as outcomes.

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Key information

Conditions

Micronutrient Status

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

JiVitA Project

Rangpur City, Bangladesh

About this study

The primary aims of the study are to:

  • To characterize the time-course of in vivo exposures (dose response) of several micronutrients in pregnant and non-pregnant and non-lactating women of reproductive age (WRA) in a real-life situation.
  • To characterize any clinically meaningful prognostic factors that can explain the between-subject variability.
  • To investigate whether the micronutrients follow dose-proportional pharmacokinetics.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Either

  • Women (non-pregnant and non-lactating) and not planning a pregnancy in the next 6 months

OR

  • Pregnant women (gestational age at enrollment of 12-14 weeks)

Exclusion criteria

  • Eligible women not consenting to participate
  • Based on point-of-care clinical indicators after enrollment and prior to starting the intervention that is indicative of pre-existing liver or kidney conditions and severe anemia

Treatment and study plan

Micronutrient Supplement

Dietary Supplement

A packaged food supplement providing calories and protein and fortified with micronutrients provided at an approximate RDA.

Other names: Balanced Energy and Protein Supplement (BEP)

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in vitamin A status

    Time frame: Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 1 month post-partum (Pregnant women). Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 3 months (non-pregnant women)

    Plasma retinol (μmol/L), retinyl esters (μmol/L), and serum retinol binding protein (μmol/L)

    For women in reproductive age, these biomarkers will be measured at baseline, midline (1.5 months), and end-line (3 months). For pregnant women, the biomarkers will be measured at baseline (10-12 weeks of gestation), mid-pregnancy (22 weeks or 30 weeks of gestation), late pregnancy (36 weeks of gestation), and 1 month postpartum.

  2. Change in vitamin D status

    Time frame: Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 1 month post-partum (Pregnant women). Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 3 months (non-pregnant women)

    Serum 25(hydroxy)D (nmol/L)

    For women in reproductive age, these biomarkers will be measured at baseline, midline (1.5 months), and end-line (3 months). For pregnant women, the biomarkers will be measured at baseline (10-12 weeks of gestation), mid-pregnancy (22 weeks or 30 weeks of gestation), late pregnancy (36 weeks of gestation), and 1 month postpartum.

  3. Change in vitamin E status

    Time frame: Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 1 month post-partum (Pregnant women). Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 3 months (non-pregnant women)

    Plasma α and γ tocopherol (μmol/L)

    For women in reproductive age, these biomarkers will be measured at baseline, midline (1.5 months), and end-line (3 months). For pregnant women, the biomarkers will be measured at baseline (10-12 weeks of gestation), mid-pregnancy (22 weeks or 30 weeks of gestation), late pregnancy (36 weeks of gestation), and 1 month postpartum.

  4. Change in B-vitamin static indicators

    Time frame: Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 1 month post-partum (Pregnant women). Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 3 months (non-pregnant women)

    Vitamin B12 (plasma homocysteine, methylmalonic acid, and holo-transcobalamin, and serum B12); Folic acid (serum folate, and whole blood folate); Vitamin B1 (urinary B1 excretion), Vitamin B2 (urinary B2 excretion), Vitamin B3 (urinary N-methylnicotinamide and 2-pyridone), Vitamin B6 (plasma pyridoxal 5' phosphate and other B6 vitamers, urinary B6 excretion).

    All the indicators will be expressed as pg/ml.

    For women in reproductive age, these biomarkers will be measured at baseline, midline (1.5 months), and end-line (3 months). For pregnant women, the biomarkers will be measured at baseline (10-12 weeks of gestation), mid-pregnancy (22 weeks or 30 weeks of gestation), late pregnancy (36 weeks of gestation), and 1 month postpartum.

  5. Change in B-vitamin enzymatic activity

    Time frame: Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 1 month post-partum (Pregnant women). Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 3 months (non-pregnant women)

    Vitamin B1 (erythrocyte transketolase activity), Vitamin B2 (erythrocyte Glutathione reductase activity, urinary B2 excretion), Vitamin B3 (erythrocyte nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and NAD/nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) ratio.

    All the indicators will be presented as ratio or activity coefficient.

    For women in reproductive age, these biomarkers will be measured at baseline, midline (1.5 months), and end-line (3 months). For pregnant women, the biomarkers will be measured at baseline (10-12 weeks of gestation), mid-pregnancy (22 weeks or 30 weeks of gestation), late pregnancy (36 weeks of gestation), and 1 month postpartum.

  6. Change in iron status

    Time frame: Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 1 month post-partum (Pregnant women). Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 3 months (non-pregnant women)

    Serum ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor (μg/L)

    For women in reproductive age, these biomarkers will be measured at baseline, midline (1.5 months), and end-line (3 months). For pregnant women, the biomarkers will be measured at baseline (10-12 weeks of gestation), mid-pregnancy (22 weeks or 30 weeks of gestation), late pregnancy (36 weeks of gestation), and 1 month postpartum.

  7. Change in iodine status

    Time frame: Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 1 month post-partum (Pregnant women). Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 3 months (non-pregnant women)

    Urinary iodine (μg/L), and thyroglobulin (μg/L)

    For women in reproductive age, these biomarkers will be measured at baseline, midline (1.5 months), and end-line (3 months). For pregnant women, the biomarkers will be measured at baseline (10-12 weeks of gestation), mid-pregnancy (22 weeks or 30 weeks of gestation), late pregnancy (36 weeks of gestation), and 1 month postpartum.

  8. Change in selenium static indicator

    Time frame: Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 1 month post-partum (Pregnant women). Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 3 months (non-pregnant women)

    Serum selenium (μg/L)

    For women in reproductive age, these biomarkers will be measured at baseline, midline (1.5 months), and end-line (3 months). For pregnant women, the biomarkers will be measured at baseline (10-12 weeks of gestation), mid-pregnancy (22 weeks or 30 weeks of gestation), late pregnancy (36 weeks of gestation), and 1 month postpartum.

  9. Change in selenium enzymatic indicator

    Time frame: Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 1 month post-partum (Pregnant women). Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 3 months (non-pregnant women)

    Plasma Glutathione peroxidase-3 (U/L)

    For women in reproductive age, these biomarkers will be measured at baseline, midline (1.5 months), and end-line (3 months). For pregnant women, the biomarkers will be measured at baseline (10-12 weeks of gestation), mid-pregnancy (22 weeks or 30 weeks of gestation), late pregnancy (36 weeks of gestation), and 1 month postpartum.

  10. Change in zinc status

    Time frame: Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 1 month post-partum (Pregnant women). Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 3 months (non-pregnant women)

    Serum Zinc (μg/L)

    For women in reproductive age, these biomarkers will be measured at baseline, midline (1.5 months), and end-line (3 months). For pregnant women, the biomarkers will be measured at baseline (10-12 weeks of gestation), mid-pregnancy (22 weeks or 30 weeks of gestation), late pregnancy (36 weeks of gestation), and 1 month postpartum.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Changes in inflammation

    Time frame: Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 1 month post-partum (Pregnant women). Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 3 months (non-pregnant women)

    Serum Alpha glycoprotein (AGP) and plasma C-reactive protein (CRP). These will be expressed as mg/L.

    For women in reproductive age, these biomarkers will be measured at baseline, midline (1.5 months), and end-line (3 months). For pregnant women, the biomarkers will be measured at baseline (10-12 weeks of gestation), mid-pregnancy (22 weeks or 30 weeks of gestation), late pregnancy (36 weeks of gestation), and 1 month postpartum.

  2. Change in hormonal markers

    Time frame: Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 1 month post-partum (Pregnant women). Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 3 months (non-pregnant women)

    Plasma hepcidin (μg/L), erythropoietin (μg/L), and serum parathyroid hormone (μg/L)

    For women in reproductive age, these biomarkers will be measured at baseline, midline (1.5 months), and end-line (3 months). For pregnant women, the biomarkers will be measured at baseline (10-12 weeks of gestation), mid-pregnancy (22 weeks or 30 weeks of gestation), late pregnancy (36 weeks of gestation), and 1 month postpartum.

  3. Change in clinical markers of liver enzymes

    Time frame: Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 1 month post-partum (Pregnant women). Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 3 months (non-pregnant women)

    Plasma alanine transaminase (U/L), and Aspartate aminotransferase (U/L)

    For women in reproductive age, these biomarkers will be measured at baseline, midline (1.5 months), and end-line (3 months). For pregnant women, the biomarkers will be measured at baseline (10-12 weeks of gestation), mid-pregnancy (22 weeks or 30 weeks of gestation), late pregnancy (36 weeks of gestation), and 1 month postpartum.

  4. Change in clinical markers of lipid profile

    Time frame: Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 1 month post-partum (Pregnant women). Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 3 months (non-pregnant women)

    Plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein. These will be expressed as mg/dL.

    For women in reproductive age, these biomarkers will be measured at baseline, midline (1.5 months), and end-line (3 months). For pregnant women, the biomarkers will be measured at baseline (10-12 weeks of gestation), mid-pregnancy (22 weeks or 30 weeks of gestation), late pregnancy (36 weeks of gestation), and 1 month postpartum.

  5. Change in clinical markers of renal function

    Time frame: Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 1 month post-partum (Pregnant women). Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 3 months (non-pregnant women)

    Plasma creatinine (mg/dL), and blood urea nitrogen (mg/dL)

    For women in reproductive age, these biomarkers will be measured at baseline, midline (1.5 months), and end-line (3 months). For pregnant women, the biomarkers will be measured at baseline (10-12 weeks of gestation), mid-pregnancy (22 weeks or 30 weeks of gestation), late pregnancy (36 weeks of gestation), and 1 month postpartum.

  6. Change in clinical markers of electrolytes

    Time frame: Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 1 month post-partum (Pregnant women). Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 3 months (non-pregnant women)

    Plasma sodium, calcium, potassium, and chloride. These will be expressed as mmol/L.

    For women in reproductive age, these biomarkers will be measured at baseline, midline (1.5 months), and end-line (3 months). For pregnant women, the biomarkers will be measured at baseline (10-12 weeks of gestation), mid-pregnancy (22 weeks or 30 weeks of gestation), late pregnancy (36 weeks of gestation), and 1 month postpartum.

  7. Change in glucose

    Time frame: Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 1 month post-partum (Pregnant women). Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 3 months (non-pregnant women)

    Plasma glucose (mg/dL)

    For women in reproductive age, these biomarkers will be measured at baseline, midline (1.5 months), and end-line (3 months). For pregnant women, the biomarkers will be measured at baseline (10-12 weeks of gestation), mid-pregnancy (22 weeks or 30 weeks of gestation), late pregnancy (36 weeks of gestation), and 1 month postpartum.

  8. Change in hemoglobin

    Time frame: Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 1 month post-partum (Pregnant women). Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 3 months (non-pregnant women)

    Whole blood hemoglobin (g/L)

    For women in reproductive age, these biomarkers will be measured at baseline, midline (1.5 months), and end-line (3 months). For pregnant women, the biomarkers will be measured at baseline (10-12 weeks of gestation), mid-pregnancy (22 weeks or 30 weeks of gestation), late pregnancy (36 weeks of gestation), and 1 month postpartum.

  9. Change in serum minerals

    Time frame: Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 1 month post-partum (Pregnant women). Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 3 months (non-pregnant women)

    Serum copper, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, and iron. These will be expressed as μg/L.

    For women in reproductive age, these biomarkers will be measured at baseline, midline (1.5 months), and end-line (3 months). For pregnant women, the biomarkers will be measured at baseline (10-12 weeks of gestation), mid-pregnancy (22 weeks or 30 weeks of gestation), late pregnancy (36 weeks of gestation), and 1 month postpartum.

  10. Change in bone turnover biomarker

    Time frame: Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 1 month post-partum (Pregnant women). Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 3 months (non-pregnant women)

    Pyrilinks-D urine test (nmol/L)

    For women in reproductive age, these biomarkers will be measured at baseline, midline (1.5 months), and end-line (3 months). For pregnant women, the biomarkers will be measured at baseline (10-12 weeks of gestation), mid-pregnancy (22 weeks or 30 weeks of gestation), late pregnancy (36 weeks of gestation), and 1 month postpartum.

  11. Change in urinary metabolite of vitamin E

    Time frame: Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 1 month post-partum (Pregnant women). Baseline, midline, end-line, up to 3 months (non-pregnant women)

    Urinary alpha-carboxy ethyl hydroxy chromanol (nmol/L) will be measured only in pregnancy.

    For pregnant women, the biomarkers will be measured at baseline (10-12 weeks of gestation), mid-pregnancy (22 weeks or 30 weeks of gestation), late pregnancy (36 weeks of gestation), and 1 month postpartum.

Other outcomes

  1. Number of participants with side effects

    Time frame: Weekly from enrollment up to 1 month postpartum for pregnant women. Weekly from enrollment up to 3 months for non-pregnant women

    We will report the number of participants who experience any of the following side effects; Nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headache, hemorrhage, blurred vision, rash, tingling sensation in the extremities, brittleness of nail/hair, dark stool or fishy body odor.

  2. Breastmilk Vitamin A concentration

    Time frame: 1 month postpartum

    Retinol and retinyl esters will be measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). These will be expressed as μg/L.

  3. Breastmilk Vitamin E concentration

    Time frame: 1 month postpartum

    Plasma α and γ tocopherol will be measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). These will be expressed as μg/L.

  4. Breastmilk B vitamin concentration

    Time frame: 1 month postpartum

    Vitamin B12, Vitamin B1, B2 and B6 vitamers will be measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). These will be expressed as μg/L.

  5. Breastmilk mineral concentration

    Time frame: 1 month postpartum

    Zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus will be measured by Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). These will be expressed as μg/L.

  6. Change in gut microbiome composition

    Time frame: Baseline, end-line up to 36 wks of gestation in pregnancy (Pregnant women). Baseline, end-line up to 3 months (non-pregnant women)

    Measured by changes in bacterial 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene sequencing (16S RNA) and multigenomic sequencing

    For women in reproductive age, gut microbiome composition will be measured at baseline, and end-line (3 months). For pregnant women, gut microbiome composition will be measured at baseline (10-12 weeks of gestation), and late pregnancy (36 weeks of gestation).

  7. Frequency of neonatal deaths across study arms

    Time frame: Birth to 28 days of life

    Number of deaths between 0-28 days

  8. Frequency of stillbirths across study arms

    Time frame: At birth

    Number of stillbirths

  9. Frequency of low birth weight infants across study arms

    Time frame: At birth

    Low birth weight will be defined as birth weight (within <72 h) less than 2500 g

  10. Frequency of preterm birth across study arms

    Time frame: At birth

    Preterm birth will be defined as babies born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed

  11. Frequency of gross congenital defects across study arms

    Time frame: At birth

    Any congenital gross malformations at birth that can be identified by physical examination

  12. Frequency of neonatal morbidity across study arms

    Time frame: At 1 month of age

    Will report number of infants experiencing any of the following; fever, cough, cold, difficulty in breathing or diarrhoea.

  13. Change in infant gut microbiome composition, functional profile and maturation

    Time frame: 3-6 months and 6-9 months of infant age

    Measured by metagenomic sequencing of total fecal DNA

  14. Change in human milk oligosaccharide composition

    Time frame: 1 month, 3-6 months and 6-9 months of infant age

    Measured by quantification of the 19 most abundant HMOs - representing 95% of total HMO concentration in milk and all structural features using HPLC with flouresence detection. We aim to examine the impact of the micronutrient interventions on HMOs in human milk.

  15. Infant length-for-age z-score

    Time frame: 3-6 months and 6-9 months of infant age

    Anthropometry taken using length board. We aim to examine difference in infant length-for-age z-score by intervention arm as well effect modification by microbiota maturity on stunting.

  16. Infant weight-for-length z-score

    Time frame: 3-6 months and 6-9 months of infant age

    Measured using a pediatric digital scale. We will examine the difference in WLZ score by intervention arm and effect modification of microbiota maturity on wasting (WLZ< -2)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Other

Collaborators

  • Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
  • International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh

Registry information

Official study title

Micronutrient Dose Response (MiNDR) Study in Bangladesh

Acronym: MiNDR

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
Oct 13, 2023
Registry last updated
Oct 1, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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