Feasibility Study of Lactobacillus Plantarum 299v Probiotic Supplementation in an Urban Academic Facility among Diverse Pregnant Individuals

(1) Background: Despite iron intake recommendations, over a quarter of pregnant individuals have iron deficiency. ( ®) enhances iron absorption in non-pregnant populations and may have positive effects in pregnancy among those with sufficient iron stores; however, no studies have evaluated the effect of ® on maternal and neonatal iron status among individuals at risk for iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy. Thus, this study aims to assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of daily oral ® maternal supplementation among diverse pregnant individuals. (2) Methods: In this double-blind placebo-controlled randomized supplementation feasibility study, participants were randomized to probiotic ® + prenatal vitamin with iron or placebo + prenatal vitamin with iron from 15-20 weeks of gestation through delivery. (3) Results: Of the 20 enrolled and randomized participants, 58% (7/12) from the ® group and 75% (6/8) from the placebo group were retained. Adherence to supplementation was 72% for ®/placebo and 73% for the prenatal vitamin. A slower decline in maternal hematological and iron parameters across pregnancy was observed in the ® group compared to placebo. (4) Conclusions: ® may be a tolerable therapy during pregnancy and has the potential to affect maternal and neonatal hematological and iron status.