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Iron Deficiency (ID)Phase 2ProMomsNCT07076849

Probiotic Supplementation in Optimizing Iron and Hematological Status Among Pregnant Females

A Phase 2 study testing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v in people with Iron Deficiency (ID) and Pregnancy, run by University of Illinois at Chicago at 1 site in United States.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Maternal iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is associated with maternal and infant mortality, spontaneous preterm birth, maternal postpartum hemorrhage, and neurocognitive defects in the neonate. Therefore, preventing maternal IDA in at-risk women is critical. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 45 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Iron Deficiency (ID), Pregnancy
What is being tested?
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
250 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
1 Feb 2026to 30 Nov 2030
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 45 years
  • Women only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • singleton naturally conceived pregnancy;
  • at risk of IDA [Hb 11.0 - 11.9 g/dL (first trimester) and Hb 10.5 - 11.5 g/dL (second trimester) based on new OB clinical complete blood count (CBC) results obtained from the EHR;
  • 18 - 45 years old;
  • 10-16 weeks GA;
  • fluency in English to provide consent and complete study procedures;
  • ability to provide consent;
  • and ownership of a smartphone (currently more than 90% of our patient population at the CWH).

Who cannot join

  • IDA or other nutritional anemia (i.e., diagnosed or suspected B12 or folate deficiency) based on new OB blood work that includes MCV and MCH to characterize the anemia;
  • recent blood transfusion;
  • autoimmune disorder (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis);
  • inflammatory bowel disease;
  • oral or IV antibiotic use within 2 months;
  • previous spontaneous preterm birth;
Show all 12Show fewer
  • history of bariatric surgery;
  • malabsorptive disease;
  • current hyperemesis;
  • current eating disorder;
  • hematologic disorder or trait carrier (e.g., hemochromatosis, β-thalassemia);
  • current tobacco, alcohol or illicit drug use (Excluding marijuana).

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Mary Dawn Koenig, PhD, RN, CNM contact

312-996-7982

marydh@uic.edu

United States1 site, 1 recruiting
  • University of Illinois at Chicago

    Chicago, Illinois, 60612

    Tory deMartelly, MPH, 3123555119, vdemar2@uic.edu

    Recruiting

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Mechanistic Pathways of Probiotic Supplementation in Optimizing Iron and Hematological Status Among Pregnant Females at Risk of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Maternal iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is associated with maternal and infant mortality, spontaneous preterm birth, maternal postpartum hemorrhage, and neurocognitive defects in the neonate. Therefore, preventing maternal IDA in at-risk women is critical. The standard approach to improving iron status in pregnancy (i.e., oral iron supplements) is suboptimal and gastrointestinal discomforts associated with this approach (i.e., constipation) impairs adherence. The incidence of ID (18%) and IDA (5%) in pregnant populations suggest alternative interventions are needed to optimize iron status in pregnancy. There is increasing evidence that consuming the probiotic Lactoplantibacillus plantarum 299v (LP299V®) can enhance dietary non-heme iron absorption by changes in the composition and metabolic patterns of gut microbiota that reduce intestinal pH, enhance mucin production and favor an anti-inflammatory milieu. This immunomodulatory effect may be important because inflammation stimulates hepatic production of hepcidin, a master regulator of systemic iron homeostasis, which inhibits iron flow into circulation from diet and body stores. Further, the effects of LP299V® may extend to the placenta. The investigators' team showed previously that maternal iron deficiency is associated with changes to placental iron metabolism with more iron sequestered in the placenta and less iron transferring to the fetus. Given its positive effects on maternal iron status, the investigators surmise that LP299V® supplementation will result in higher placenta protein expression of iron transporters, transferrin receptor-1 and ferrroportin-1, and lower placental iron accumulation/content. The primary goal of this study is to test the efficacy of this low-cost, safe, innovative approach to optimizing maternal iron status in individuals at risk for ID in pregnancy [Hb 11.0 - 11.9 g/dL (first trimester) and Hb 10.5 - 11.5 g/dL (second trimester) based on new OB clinical complete blood count (CBC) results obtained from the EHR] from 10-16 weeks gestational age (GA) until the time of labor. The investigators will also test the effects on neonatal (cord blood) iron status and (cord blood + newborn heel stick) Hb at birth and determine the effect of maternal LP299V® supplementation on the maternal gut microbiome, hepcidin-ferroportin axis and placenta iron and placenta transport of iron as its primary mechanisms of action. Finally, the investigators will explore the effect of maternal LP299V® supplementation on infant neurodevelopment at birth. This study is an essential first step toward evaluating if twice daily oral LP299V® is an efficacious, safe, inexpensive, and scalable clinical strategy for the prevention of maternal ID and its related complications in at-risk women.

Being tested
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v, Placebo Capsule(s)
Medical subject headings
Iron Deficiencies

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299vDietary supplement

    Probiotic

  • Placebo Capsule(s)Other

    Placebo control

Study groups in NCT07076849
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v (LP299V®)ExperimentalProbiotic
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v
ControlPlacebo comparatorPlacebo capsule
Receives: Other: Placebo Capsule(s)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Maternal hemoglobin from complete blood count (CBC) with differential

    Venous blood draw

    Measured: 10-16 weeks GA (V1), 22-28 weeks GA (V2), 30-36 weeks GA (V3), delivery (V4)

Secondary outcomes (27)
  1. Maternal iron deficiency anemia (IDA)

    Hb <10.5 g/dL during second trimester and Hb <11 g/dL during third trimester

    Measured: 10-16 weeks GA (V1), 22-28 weeks GA (V2), 30-36 weeks GA (V3), delivery (V4)

  2. Complete blood count (CBC) with differential (WBC, RBC, Hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, Platelet Count, MPV and Differential (Absolute and Percent - Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophils, and Basophils)

    Venous blood draw

    Measured: 10-16 weeks GA (V1), 22-28 weeks GA (V2), 30-36 weeks GA (V3), delivery (V4)

  3. Maternal serum ferritin

    Venous blood draw

    Measured: 10-16 weeks GA (V1), 22-28 weeks GA (V2), 30-36 weeks GA (V3), delivery (V4)

  4. Maternal serum iron

    Venous blood draw

    Measured: 10-16 weeks GA (V1), 22-28 weeks GA (V2), 30-36 weeks GA (V3), delivery (V4)

  5. Maternal sTfR

    Venous blood draw

    Measured: 10-16 weeks GA (V1), 22-28 weeks GA (V2), 30-36 weeks GA (V3), delivery (V4)

  6. Maternal total body iron (TBI)

    (TBI (mg/kg) = - [log(TfR/ferritin ratio) - 2.8229]/0.1207)

    Measured: 10-16 weeks GA (V1), 22-28 weeks GA (V2), 30-36 weeks GA (V3), delivery (V4)

  7. Maternal hepcidin

    Venous blood draw

    Measured: 10-16 weeks GA (V1), 22-28 weeks GA (V2), 30-36 weeks GA (V3), delivery (V4)

  8. Maternal erythropoietin (EPO)

    Venous blood draw

    Measured: 10-16 weeks GA (V1), 22-28 weeks GA (V2), 30-36 weeks GA (V3), delivery (V4)

  9. Maternal circulating cytokines (interleukin-6 (IL-6), GM-CS, IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, TNFα, and IFNγ

    Venous blood draw

    Measured: 10-16 weeks GA (V1), 22-28 weeks GA (V2), 30-36 weeks GA (V3), delivery (V4)

  10. Maternal C-reactive protein (CRP)

    Venous blood draw

    Measured: 10-16 weeks GA (V1), 22-28 weeks GA (V2), 30-36 weeks GA (V3), delivery (V4)

  11. Maternal Erythroferrone (ERFE)

    Venous blood draw

    Measured: 10-16 weeks GA (V1), 22-28 weeks GA (V2), 30-36 weeks GA (V3), delivery (V4)

  12. Maternal Erythroferrone (ERFE) Cord Complete blood count (CBC) with differential (WBC, RBC, Hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, Platelet Count, MPV and Differential (Absolute and Percent - Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophils, and Basophils)

    Cord blood draw

    Measured: delivery

  13. Cord serum ferritin

    Cord blood draw

    Measured: delivery

  14. Cord serum iron

    Cord blood draw

    Measured: delivery

  15. Cord sTfR

    Cord blood draw

    Measured: delivery

  16. Cord total body iron (TBI)

    (TBI (mg/kg) = - [log(TfR/ferritin ratio) - 2.8229]/0.1207)

    Measured: delivery

  17. Newborn heel stick

    Blood spot

    Measured: After delivery before baby released home

  18. Placenta iron transporter (FPN-1 and TFR-1)

    Western blot

    Measured: delivery

  19. Placenta iron quantification

    Immunohistochemistry

    Measured: delivery

  20. Placenta tissue iron concentration

    Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

    Measured: delivery

  21. Fecal abundance of A. muciniphila

    Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)

    Measured: 10-16 weeks GA (V1), 22-28 weeks GA (V2), 30-36 weeks GA (V3), delivery (V4)

  22. Shot-gun sequencing and analysis (taxonomy and functional profiling)

    MetaPhlAn4 and HUMAnN 2.0

    Measured: 10-16 weeks GA (V1), 22-28 weeks GA (V2), 30-36 weeks GA (V3)

  23. Microbial mucin degrading enzymes

    CaZymes

    Measured: 10-16 weeks GA (V1), 22-28 weeks GA (V2), 30-36 weeks GA (V3)

  24. Stool pH

    pH probe

    Measured: 10-16 weeks GA (V1), 22-28 weeks GA (V2), 30-36 weeks GA (V3)

  25. Adverse pregnancy outcomes post-treatment and at delivery (clinical- EMR)

    Adverse pregnancy outcomes post-treatment and at delivery (clinical-EMR)

    Measured: delivery

  26. Probiotic acceptance and tolerability

    Daily capsule adherence Reported adverse health effects

    Measured: 10-16 weeks GA, 14-20 weeks GA, 18-24 weeks GA, 22-28 weeks GA, 26-32 weeks GA, 30-36 weeks GA, 34-40 weeks GA, 38-40 weeks GA

  27. Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing

    Interpeak latency I-V

    Measured: -3 days postpartum

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted22 Jul 2025
  2. Study start1 Feb 2026
  3. Primary completion30 Oct 2030 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Nov 2030 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
250 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07076849
Sponsor's protocol ID
2025-0431
Acronym
ProMoms
Status last verified
Apr 2026
First submitted
9 Jul 2025
Last updated
1 May 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v in people with Iron Deficiency (ID) and Pregnancy, run by University of Illinois at Chicago at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 12 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Mary Dawn Koenig, PhD, RN, CNM (312-996-7982, marydh@uic.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Maternal hemoglobin from complete blood count (CBC) with differential (time frame: 10-16 weeks GA (V1), 22-28 weeks GA (V2), 30-36 weeks GA (V3), delivery (V4)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 May 2026.

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