Simple vitamin pills could cut blood transfusions in pregnant african women

NCT ID NCT00148629

Completed Prevention Sponsor: Cornell University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether adding daily multivitamins and an extra dose of deworming medication to standard prenatal care could prevent severe anemia in pregnant women in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Over 2,500 pregnant women took part, comparing the enhanced package to the usual WHO-recommended care. The goal was to reduce the need for blood transfusions and improve health for both mothers and babies.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: multivitamin and mebendazole (deworming drug)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could offer a simple, low-cost way to prevent severe anemia in pregnant women in resource-limited settings, reducing the need for blood transfusions and improving birth outcomes.
What could go wrong: This trial is completed but results may not apply to other regions or populations. The interventions are low-cost and low-risk, but the benefit may be modest compared to standard care alone.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Birth Weight anemia prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ANEMIA LOW BIRTH WEIGHT NEONATAL MORTALITY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Public Health Laboratory "Ivo de Carneri"

Wawi, Zanzibar, Tanzania

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