*Please note: this study has completed enrolment and is no longer recruiting participants
SAHMRI (South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute) Women’s and Kids Theme are working together with the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Flinders Medical Centre in South Australia, as well as other hospitals nationwide, in a study that aims to determine the most favourable amount of iodine supplementation for pregnant women who already consume enough iodine from their food intake.
If you’re currently 13 weeks pregnant or less, you’re eligible to register to take part in the study; and will receive FREE prenatal supplements for the entirety of your pregnancy and an in depth developmental assessment of your child when they’re 2 years of age.
Why iodine?
We know iodine is an essential nutrient – meaning that we need to get it from our diet.
Getting enough iodine in pregnancy is important because the baby’s brain is growing quickly and relies on iodine from the mother.
In Australia, iodine is added to some of our food. Pregnant women are also advised to take iodine supplements. However, some women get enough iodine from the food they eat and may not need an additional supplement. It is essential to determine if lowering the amount of iodine in prenatal multivitamin supplements, improves their child’s development.
The PoppiE Study aims to determine the most favourable amount of iodine supplementation for pregnant women who already consume enough iodine from their food intake.
What’s involved
- You will be asked to complete an iodine specific food frequency questionnaire which will ascertain how much iodine you consume in your diet
- You will be provided with prenatal supplements to take throughout your pregnancy – The study supplements are similar to the leading brands of prenatal supplements sold in Australia and contain vitamins and minerals and either a small amount of iodine (20ug) or a larger amount of iodine (200ug)
- You will be asked to collect a urine sample at enrolment in the study and again at 28 weeks gestation
- When your baby is 24 months of age, we will assess his/her development with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Fourth Edition (Bayley-IV
Why Participate?
- You will receive prenatal supplements for the whole of your pregnancy at no charge.
- You will know your iodine status by completing an Iodine intake Food Frequency Questionnaire (iFFQ).
- Your child will receive an in-depth developmental assessment at 2 years of age and you will receive an assessment report as part of this study.
- You may help contribute valuable information that may benefit other pregnant women and their babies in the future.
- You will be reimbursed for attendance at the 24-month developmental assessments with your child.
- You will be helping to advance maternal and child health research.
Who Can Participate?
- Pregnant women who are less than 13 weeks into their pregnancy.
- Able to answer 5 brief SMS surveys, 5 phone calls and attend a study visit at the research site when their baby is 24 months of age, as well as comply with all the necessary study requirements.
- Please note that the participants are to attend one study visit at a local research centre.
- Must be willing to complete an online 10-minute Food Frequency Questionnaire to determine iodine intake.
This study has been approved by The Women’s and Children’s Health Network Human Research Ethics Committee HREC/20/WCHN/108.
For more information, please contact the research team:
