Vitamins C and E Don’t Prevent Pre-Eclampsia

Pregnant women who take antioxidants may still get pre-eclampsia.
A Cochrane Systematic Review finds taking vitamins C or E during pregnancy does not reduce the risk of the condition.
Women can develop pre-eclampsia during pregnancy if they have high blood pressure. It can be dangerous to both the woman’s health and the health of her baby. Pre-eclampsia is a major cause of death in women worldwide.
The cause of pre-eclampsia is unknown, but one theory suggests it is triggered by free-radicals which is why taking antioxidants was thought to reduce the risk.
Cochrane researchers analysed data from 10 studies assessing the effects of antioxidants - such as vitamins C and E — during pregnancy. A total of 6,533 women participated in the trials.
The researchers conclude overall there was no reduction in the risk of pre-eclampsia by taking antioxidant supplements. They also say antioxidants did not help reduce the risk of many other health issues including pre-term delivery, having babies that had not grown well in the womb, or infant death.
Lead author Dr. Alice Rumbold, Australia, was quoted as saying, “Evidence does not currently support routine use of antioxidant supplements during pregnancy as a means of reducing the risk of pre-eclampsia or other serious problems.”

SOURCE: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2008;1:CD004227