Vitamin C and E supplementation does not reduce the risk of superimposed PE in pregnancy

Oxidative stress could play a role in the development of preeclampsia. There is some evidence to suggest that vitamin C and E supplements can reduce the risk of the disorder. We hypothesized its beneficial role in a group of pregnant women with essential hypertension.

In this randomized controlled trial, we enrolled 50 pregnant women with essential hypertension. We assigned the women 1000 mg vitamin C and 400 IU natural vitamin E (RRR α tocopherol; n = 25), daily from the second trimester of pregnancy until delivery or no supplementation (n = 25). Our primary endpoint was development of superimposed preeclampsia, and main secondary endpoints were aggravation of hypertension, need for admission, need to increase antihypertensive drugs, and small size for gestational age (

We analyzed 50 women who completed the study. The incidence of superimposed preeclampsia was similar in vitamin and control groups (8% [n = 2] vs 12% [n = 3], p = 1.000). Vitamin C and E supplementation also did not prevent aggravation of hypertension in group of women who took it (12% [n = 3] vs 32% [n = 8], p = 0.172). Small size for gestational age babies did not differ between groups (4% [n = 2] vs 6% [n = 3], p = 1.000).

Vitamin C and E supplementation does not prevent development of superimposed preeclampsia in women with essential hypertension. Our results did not show any significant benefit of vitamin supplementation. There was some trend in lessening of hypertensive complications of pregnancy. Our results failed to find any correlation between development of superimposed preeclampsia and oxidative stress.