Encapsulated Calcium Absorption in Pregnancy

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study will enroll at least 60 pregnant women in a randomized cross-over study in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Each participant will be randomized to one of 3 calcium doses: 500 mg, 1000 mg, 1500 mg elemental Ca per day. Each participant will undergo two calcium absorption tests, one with a micronutrient supplement powder containing non-encapsulated (non-coated) calcium and the other with a micronutrient supplement powder containing encapsulated calcium at the same dose. The absorption tests will be separated by a 2-week washout period. Fractional calcium absorption will be measured using the dual stable isotope method. For each test, the formulation will be administered orally for 9 days; on the 10th day, a 44Ca- labeled stable isotope will be given orally and a 42Ca-labeled stable isotope dose will be given intravenously. Urine will be collected for 48 hours to measure calcium absorption.

Official Title
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Bioavailability and Acceptability of Enteric-Coated Microencapsulated Calcium During Pregnancy: A Randomized Crossover Trial in Bangladesh (Encapsulated Calcium Absorption in Pregnancy)

Conditions
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Pregnancy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: Encapsulated Calcium
* Dietary Supplement: Non-capsulated Calcium


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Women aged 18 to 30 years Current residence in Dhaka at a fixed address Plan to remain in Dhaka for at least 2 months from date of enrolment Gestational age of 27 completed weeks ± 1 week, estimated based on the recalled first day of the last menstrual period (LMP) Exclusion Criteria: Complicated medical or obstetric history, based on self-report or clinical assessment by physician (e.g., cardiovascular disease, uterine hemorrhage, placenta previa, threatened abortion, hypertension, preeclampsia, multiple gestation, diabetes, renal disease) Higher risk pregnancy based on one or more of the following clinical findings at time of recruitment: Severe anemia (hemoglobin <70 g/L assessed by Hemocue) Proteinuria (≥ 100 mg/dl based on urine dipstick) Glycosuria (≥ 100 mg/dl based on urine dipstick) Hypertension (systolic blood pressure, ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg) Reported use of dietary supplements that contain >500 mg of calcium per day and/or >400 IU (10 mcg) of vitamin D per day Reported use (chewing) of betel leaf, areca nut and lime (together referred to locally as paan) during pregnancy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 30 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Micronutrient Powder, Enteric-coated Calcium (500 mg/day)<br>Encapsulated Calcium | Dietary Supplement: Encapsulated Calcium<br>* The intervention is a multi-micronutrient powder containing enteric-coated calcium carbonate, in addition to ferrous fumarate (60 mg of elemental iron) and folic acid (400 µg).<br>|
| Experimental: Micronutrient Powder, Enteric-coated Calcium (1000 mg/day)<br>Encapsulated Calcium | Dietary Supplement: Encapsulated Calcium<br>* The intervention is a multi-micronutrient powder containing enteric-coated calcium carbonate, in addition to ferrous fumarate (60 mg of elemental iron) and folic acid (400 µg).<br>|
| Experimental: Micronutrient Powder, Enteric-coated Calcium (1500 mg/day)<br>Encapsulated Calcium | Dietary Supplement: Encapsulated Calcium<br>* The intervention is a multi-micronutrient powder containing enteric-coated calcium carbonate, in addition to ferrous fumarate (60 mg of elemental iron) and folic acid (400 µg).<br>|
| Active Comparator: Micronutrient Powder, Uncoated Calcium (500 mg/day)<br>Non-capsulated Calcium | Dietary Supplement: Non-capsulated Calcium<br>* The comparator/control intervention is a micronutrient powder containing non-coated calcium (500, 1000 or 1500 mg elemental calcium from calcium carbonate), ferrous fumarate (60 mg of elemental iron) and folic acid (400 µg). This product will be similar in Ca dose, appearance, taste and texture to the experimental formulation but will not include the enteric-coating.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Micronutrient Powder, Uncoated Calcium (1000 mg/day)<br>Non-capsulated Calcium | Dietary Supplement: Non-capsulated Calcium<br>* The comparator/control intervention is a micronutrient powder containing non-coated calcium (500, 1000 or 1500 mg elemental calcium from calcium carbonate), ferrous fumarate (60 mg of elemental iron) and folic acid (400 µg). This product will be similar in Ca dose, appearance, taste and texture to the experimental formulation but will not include the enteric-coating.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Micronutrient Powder, Uncoated Calcium (1500 mg/day)<br>Non-capsulated Calcium | Dietary Supplement: Non-capsulated Calcium<br>* The comparator/control intervention is a micronutrient powder containing non-coated calcium (500, 1000 or 1500 mg elemental calcium from calcium carbonate), ferrous fumarate (60 mg of elemental iron) and folic acid (400 µg). This product will be similar in Ca dose, appearance, taste and texture to the experimental formulation but will not include the enteric-coating.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Fractional Calcium Absorption | The primary analysis will be a comparison of mean fractional absorption of the two calcium formulations (enteric-coated vs. non-coated). The secondary analysis will be a comparison of mean fractional absorption across different calcium doses (500, 1000, 1500 mg per day). | Fractional calcium absorption during day 10-11 | 
| Fractional Calcium Absorption | The primary analysis will be a comparison of mean fractional absorption of the two calcium formulations (enteric-coated vs. non-coated). The secondary analysis will be a comparison of mean fractional absorption across different calcium doses (500, 1000, 1500 mg per day). | Fractional calcium absorption during day 35-36 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Palatability and Acceptability | The palatability and acceptability of the microencapsulated and non-encapsulated calcium formulations will be surveyed to assess the following parameters using semi-quantitative measures (i.e. Organoleptic properties, such as taste, odour, texture and colour, and adherence to prescribed micronutrient regimen, and reasons for non-adherence) | Baseline, +10/11 days, +35/36 days | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Iron, Pregnancy, Micronutrient Powder, Calcium, Bangladesh