High-dose Vitamin Supplementation Does Not Reduce the Impact of Pre-eclampsia in Pregnant Women
 |
| High-dose Vitamin E supplementation does not reduce the impact of pre-eclampsia in pregnant women |
Pre-eclampsia is a dangerous condition that causes high blood pressure and can lead to seizures, convulsions, or fainting, posing a life-threatening risk to both the mother and the fetus.
Previous studies suggested that high-dose supplementation of Vitamins C and E could reduce the risk of developing this condition. However, scientists in London, England, have recently reported that their research indicates these vitamins do not effectively prevent pre-eclampsia.
They studied the effects of high-dose vitamin intake in 2,400 high-risk pregnant women in the UK. Half of the participants received 1,000 milligrams (mg) of Vitamin C and 400 International Units (IU) of Vitamin E daily during the second trimester, while the other half received a placebo.
The results showed that the incidence of pre-eclampsia was the same in both groups. In fact, the infants born to the vitamin group were slightly underweight and required medical care to manage their health.
Professor Lucilla Poston from the research team stated, “Our findings indicate that high-dose Vitamin C and E do not prevent pre-eclampsia and have no significant effects on the long-term health of the child.”
Women at high risk for pre-eclampsia include those with a history of diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, or kidney disease. Notably, obese pregnant women are four to five times more likely to develop pre-eclampsia— a condition that affects women in the later stages of pregnancy with symptoms such as high blood pressure, swollen ankles, and protein in the urine.
T.VY
