The Effect of Vitamin E and Vitamin C on the Prevention of Preeclampsia and Newborn Outcome: A Case–Control Study

This study was undertaken in order to study the combined effect of vitamin C and E supplements during pregnancy on the incidence of preeclampsia and to study its effect on neonatal outcome.

This study was conducted in Goa Medical College, from March 2010 to June 2011. Cases and controls were taken randomly from antenatal patients attending our hospital OPD. The study group included 200 pregnant women in second trimester (13 weeks onwards) and third trimester of pregnancy. Cases included 100 women who receive oral vitamin C in dose 500 mg and oral vitamin E in dose of 400 IU per day. Control group included 100 women who did not receive vitamin E and vitamin C. All women were advised not to take any other multivitamin supplements.

The incidence of preeclampsia in this study was 7 % in cases and 13 % in controls. Twenty out of the total 200 antenatal patients had developed preeclampsia. There was a 46 % risk reduction in the incidence of preeclampsia in cases as compared to controls. The incidence of severe preeclampsia in cases was 2 % and in controls was 7 %. This result showed 72 % reduced risk in the development of severe preeclampsia in cases as compared to controls. The study showed that significant number of antenatal patients developed preeclampsia in the age group 25–30 years, more so in controls. Primigravidas were at greater risk of developing preeclampsia than multigravidas in our study. The primigravidas in control group showed 36 % increased risk of developing preeclampsia as compared to cases. Out of 20 patients, 6 of them developed preeclampsia before 34 weeks and 14 patients developed preeclampsia after 34 weeks. There were more preterm deliveries in non-vitamin group as compared to vitamin-supplemented group. There was 46 % reduced risk in occurrence of preterm deliveries in vitamin-supplemented group, and this result was statistically significant. There was 50 % reduction in risk of stillbirths and neonatal deaths in vitamin-supplemented group, but this result was not statistically significant. The incidence of neonatal admissions was 10 % in cases and 16 % in controls. Hence, it is seen that there was 53 % reduced risk of neonatal admissions in cases, and this result was statistically significant. Controls were 1.26 times more prone for LSCS as compared to cases. Hence, we recommend routine vitamin C and E intake in all pregnant women, starting from 13 weeks of pregnancy onwards till delivery.