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Antioxidants for preventing pre-eclampsia.
A Rumbold1, L Duley, C A Crowther
1Menzies School of Health Research, PO Box 41096, Casuarina, NT, Australia, 0820. alice.rumbold@menzies.edu.au
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|February 7, 2008
Summary
Antioxidant supplementation during pregnancy does not significantly reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia or related complications. This review found no evidence to support routine use of antioxidants for preventing pre-eclampsia.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Perinatal Medicine
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Oxidative stress is implicated in pre-eclampsia development.
- Antioxidant supplementation in pregnancy may counteract oxidative stress.
- Potential to prevent or delay pre-eclampsia onset.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate antioxidant supplementation effectiveness during pregnancy.
- Assess safety of antioxidant use.
- Determine impact on pre-eclampsia risk and complications.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
- Searched Cochrane, MEDLINE, and Current Contents databases.
- Included trials comparing antioxidants with placebo or no treatment.
Main Results:
- Ten trials (6533 women) analyzed; five high-quality.
- No significant difference in pre-eclampsia, severe pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, or infant death rates.
- Increased self-reported abdominal pain and need for antihypertensive therapy observed.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence does not support routine antioxidant supplementation in pregnancy.
- No demonstrated benefit for reducing pre-eclampsia or serious pregnancy complications.
- Further research may be needed to clarify specific roles or populations.
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