Vitamin C and E supplements do not prevent pre-eclampsia
Vitamin C and E supplementation does not prevent pre-eclampsia in women
at risk, according to research published online in The
Lancet (30 March 2006).
A total of 2,404 women identified as being at risk of pre-eclampsia were
randomised to receive either vitamin C with vitamin E (1,000mg/400IU)
or placebo from the second trimester of pregnancy until delivery. The
researchers found that not only was the incidence of pre-eclampsia similar
in patients given the combination treatment compared with those given
placebo (15 per cent versus 16 per cent, risk ratio 0.97, 95 per cent
confidence interval 0.80–1.17), but the mean gestational age at
pre-eclampsia diagnosis was more than a week earlier in the treatment
arm (34 weeks versus 35 weeks +1 day, difference 8 days, 95 per cent
confidence interval 2–14).
Patients in the treatment arm were also at greater risk of having babies
with low birthweight (28 per cent versus 24 per cent, risk ratio 1.15,
95 per cent confidence interval 1.02–1.30), but no difference in
small size for gestational age was seen between the two groups (21 per
cent versus 19 per cent, 1.12, 0.96–1.31).
The authors conclude that use of these antioxidants at such high doses
is not warranted in pregnancy. |
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Pharmaceutical Journal
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