News and information
This page shares the latest updates from the PANDA study, alongside information about maternal anaemia and related research. Here you’ll find news, videos and key insights about our work, why it matters, and how PANDA aims to improve outcomes for mothers and babies.
Videos
Why preventing anaemia in pregnancy matters
Chief Investigator Professor Simon Stanworth speaks with Dr Sue Pavord, Consultant Haematologist and President of the British Society for Haematology. They discuss maternal anaemia in pregnancy, including its common symptoms and the potential risks it poses for both mothers and babies. She explains how anaemia can contribute to complications such as extreme fatigue, infection, premature birth and low birth weight. Dr. Pavord also outlines how the PANDA study aims to prevent maternal anaemia through earlier identification and treatment, with the goal of improving pregnancy outcomes and reducing avoidable complications.
PANDA featured on the Maternity and Midwifery Hour podcast
In this episode of the Maternity and Midwifery Hour podcast, Professor David Churchill, PANDA's lead obstetrician, discusses the rationale behind the PANDA trial and the importance of preventing maternal anaemia in pregnancy. He reflects on current challenges in practice, why a preventative approach matters, and the potential implications of PANDA's findings for maternity care and pregnancy outcomes.
Iron deficiency in pregnancy - why is it important and how do we manage it?
Dr Sue Pavord provides an overview of iron deficiency in pregnancy, discussing its prevalence, diagnosis, treatment and clinical consequences. She also explains the uncertainty surrounding current practice and why the PANDA trial is needed to inform future maternity care.
The effect of maternal IDA on the fetus and neonate - the potential for a life-long impact
Dr Etienne Ciantar, Consultant Obstetrician at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, explores the impact of maternal iron deficiency anaemia on fetal and neonatal health. He discusses the evidence linking iron deficiency to adverse pregnancy outcomes, neurodevelopment and the potential lifelong consequences for children.
The importance of an inclusive approach to research
Natalie Reynolds, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Research Midwife at Birmingham Women's Hospital, explores the importance of inclusive maternity research. She discusses the impact of health inequalities on research participation, the need for representative study populations, and practical approaches to improving engagement with underrepresented communities to ensure research findings benefit everyone.
News
BBC News Highlights PANDA Trial to Prevent Maternal Anaemia
In a BBC News article, Professor Simon Stanworth, Chief Investigator of the PANDA trial and Consultant Haematologist, discusses new research exploring whether routine iron supplementation in early pregnancy could reduce the risk of anaemia and associated complications, including stillbirth, haemorrhage and postnatal depression. The article highlights that around one in three pregnant women develop anaemia and explains how the PANDA trial is working with maternity units across the UK to investigate whether preventing anaemia, rather than treating it once diagnosed, could improve outcomes for mothers and babies.
A recent Lancet publication highlights a major gap in clinical research
Pregnant people are excluded from the vast majority of clinical trials, limiting the evidence available to guide safe and effective care.
Between 2019–2023, pregnancy was included in just 1.1% of trials, and in many cases exclusions were not clearly justified. This lack of evidence has real implications for clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.
The PANDA Prevention trial is helping to address this gap, with over 3000 participants recruited across England and Wales, contributing to stronger, more inclusive evidence for pregnancy care.