Researchers are conducting a study to explore the benefits of an enriched nutritional drink on maintaining healthy sugar levels in the mother and promoting the health of the baby.
They are looking for women aged 18-38 years who are planning to become pregnant in the next 6 months to take part in the global study focusing on maternal health and nutrition before and during pregnancy.
Researchers from the EpiGen Global Research Consortium, at Southampton General Hospital, along with colleagues in New Zealand and Singapore, are aiming to recruit 1,800 women between the three centres.
The participants will become part of the NiPPeR trial – Nutritional Intervention Preconception and during Pregnancy to maintain healthy glucosE levels and offspRing health.
Those taking part will be randomly selected to receive a standard nutritional drink containing vitamins and minerals recommended for before and during pregnancy, or the study nutritional drink which will be enriched with additional vitamins, minerals and probiotics.
Women recruited from the Southampton area will be asked to attend a number of appointments at the General Hospital where body measurements, blood, hair and cheek swab samples will be taken. Women will also be interviewed by study trained nursing staff and asked to complete questionnaires.
If you are interested in participating in, or receiving further information about, the trial please contact the NiPPeR team at the Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit on 0800 032 31 30 or visit the website.