Baby Lilly is a very special baby, not only are her proud parents Johanne and Darrin delighted with her, scientists at the Institute of Food Research are also celebrating. Lilly and Johanne are part of a European study investigating the effects of iron supplementation in pregnancy. "Johanne has been helping us find out more about how women cope with providing their babies with sufficient iron during pregnancy" said Dr Linda Harvey, the scientist in charge of the project.

Pregnancy creates a large demand for iron and sometimes the amount absorbed from the diet is not sufficient to meet the expectant mother's requirements. Iron is not only necessary for mum's good health but it is also needed for the development of the unborn baby. At the Institute of Food Research, the team are investigating how different levels of iron supplements affect both the mother and baby's iron stores. "There has been a lot of discussion about the usefulness of iron supplementation during pregnancy and whether it is always necessary to give high doses" continued Dr Harvey; "we are also investigating the affect that iron supplements have on the absorption of other minerals in the diet such as zinc and copper".

The scientists have worked closely with Johanne throughout her pregnancy. "I heard about the study when I went for my 10 week scan" said Johanne. "It sounded interesting so I gave the Institute a ring. Wendy Hollands, the research nurse working on the project, explained the study and after talking it through with Darrin I decided to go ahead".

Johanne took a supplement from week 16 of her pregnancy and has visited the Institute on 3 occasions to give a blood sample and have a specially prepared meal containing zinc and copper. She also gave urine and stool samples so that scientists could look at how well these minerals had been absorbed. "I wasn't looking forward to that bit, but it wasn't as bad as I thought," laughed Johanne. When Lilly was born a very small sample of umbilical cord blood was taken so that scientists could measure her iron stores at birth.

When all this information is put together, scientists expect to be able to determine the best levels of iron supplements to give a woman during the course of her pregnancy.

The research team are very grateful for the help of the maternity department at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and their encouragement with the project. Mr Tim Overton, consultant obstetrician supporting the project said "We are all delighted that the first recruit in to this important study has now delivered safely. Research projects of this nature give us valuable information allowing us the opportunity to offer better pregnancy advice in the future and we are very grateful for Johanne's support".

This study was approved by Norwich District Ethics Committee.  It is part of a larger project involving nine research institutes across Europe. Further information on how to become involved in the study are available from Wendy Hollands on 01603 255190.

• The mission of the Institute of Food Research is to carry out independent basic, and strategic research on food safety, quality, nutrition and health. It is a company limited by guarantee, with charitable status, grant aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). The Institute is based on the Norwich Research Park.
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