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

Abstract

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, 10¹⁰ 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.

Keywords: DSM 9843; Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v; ferritin; iron absorption; iron deficiency; iron status; pregnancy; probiotics.