The effect of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v together with a low dose of iron on iron status in healthy pregnant women: A randomized clinical trial

INTRODUCTION: Iron deficiency during pregnancy is a global health problem and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study was to evaluate the effect of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v, 10(10) colony forming units), 4.2 mg iron, 12 mg ascorbic acid and 30 µg folic acid (Lp) on iron status in healthy, non‐anemic, pregnant Swedish women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 326 women were randomized to receive Lp (n = 161) or placebo (n = 165) twice daily from gestational week 10–12 until end of pregnancy or until the potential start of iron therapy. The primary endpoint was serum ferritin at week 28. RESULTS: Intake of Lp attenuated the decrease in serum ferritin from baseline to week 28 (p = 0.003) and week 35 (p ˂ 0.001) and resulted in reduced prevalence of iron deficiency (59% vs 78%, p = 0.017) and iron deficiency anemia (7.4% vs 21%, p = 0.023) at week 35. Intake of Lp also resulted in beneficial effects on the soluble transferrin receptor (p = 0.011) and total body iron (p ˂ 0.001) at week 35. Gestational length and birthweight were comparable between groups. The proportion of women reporting adverse events during the study was comparable between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intake of Lp from early pregnancy was safe, attenuated the loss of iron stores and improved iron status in healthy pregnant women.