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| POSTED 8/8/2006 |
Antioxidants in Pregnancy |
Recent studies on the use of antioxidants in pregnancy have raised concerns about their efficacy and safety. So far the results are conflicting, and no clear-cut recommendation can be advanced to pregnant women. There are several multi-center international and national trials in progress. In the United States, a study sponsored by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) involved approximately 10,000 women at low risk to develop pre-eclampsia, a condition of hypertension occurring in pregnancy typically accompanied by fluid retention.
The study found that supplementation of vitamins C and E in a group of pregnant women with pre-eclampsia reduced its incidence by 50 percent. Three other studies conducted later show no benefit in reducing the risk for the condition. It also was noted that there were some secondary benefits, such as reduction in the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome in the infant but also adverse effects as well, such as an increase in the development of gestational hypertension requiring medical treatment.
Skepticism about the study design and statistical analysis of the data has left many questions unanswered. After reviewing the existing information, the safety committee monitoring the ongoing large multi-center national clinical trial decided to continue the study without any changes in the protocol or in its goals.
At DVIF&G antioxidants are prescribed when increased oxidative stress is diagnosed. The current daily dose of vitamin C, however, is half of that prescribed in the studies described above, and the current daily dose of vitamin E is approximately one-third.
Date Posted: August 8, 2006
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