Should we treat iron deficiency anaemia of pregnancy with lactoferrin? A randomised controlled trial

铁缺乏症影响着20多亿人，其中妇女和儿童的风险最大。孕期缺铁性贫血与儿童出生体重低、智商和学习成绩低有关。目前口服铁的治疗会导致大约一半服用的女性出现恶心、便秘和胃痛。牛乳铁蛋白是一种安全无副作用的乳蛋白。这项研究将测试有希望的证据，即牛乳铁蛋白可能是治疗妊娠期贫血的更有效的方法。

Iron deficiency affects over 2 billion people, with women and children at greatest risk. Iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy is linked with low birth weight and lower IQ and school performance in children. Current treatment with oral iron causes nausea, constipation and stomach pain in about half of women who take it. Bovine lactoferrin is a dairy protein which is safe with no side effects. This study will test promising evidence that bovine lactoferrin may be a more effective treatment for anaemia in pregnancy.