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Research: CASANUEVA and co-workers,
Listed in Issue 120
Abstract
CASANUEVA and co-workers, Public Health Research Branch, National Institute of Perinatology, Mexico City, Mexico, casanuev@servidor.unam.mx, have conducted a trial of vitamin C to prevent premature breaking of the waters in pregnant women.
Background
Vitamin C is involved in the synthesis and degradation of collagen and is important for maintenance of the chorioamniotic membranes. Inadequate availability of vitamin C during pregnancy has been proposed as a risk factor for premature rupture of the chorioamniotic membranes. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether 100 mg vitamin C daily could prevent this from happening.
Methodology
In a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled design, 109 pregnant women were randomized to either vitamin C or placebo in week 20. Every month, plasma and white blood cell vitamin C concentrations were measured, and all women were investigated for vaginal infection.
Results
Mean plasma vitamin C concentrations decreased significantly throughout the pregnancy in both groups (p = 0.001), and there were no significant differences between groups. However between weeks 20 and 36, mean white blood cell vitamin C concentrations decreased in the placebo group and increased in the supplemented group (p = 0.001). The incidence of premature rupture of the chorioamniotic membranes was 14 per 57 pregnancies (24.5%) in the placebo group and 4 per 52 pregnancies (7.69%) in the supplemented group (relative risk: 0.26).
Conclusion
Daily supplementation with 100 mg vitamin C during the second half of pregnancy lessens the risk of premature rupture of the chorioamniotic membranes.
References
Casanueva E, Ripoll C, Tolentino M, Morales RM, Pfeffer F, Vilchis P, Vadillo-Ortega F. Vitamin C supplementation to prevent premature rupture of the chorioamniotic membranes: a randomized trial. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 81 (4): 859-863, Apr 2005.
Comment
Comment: 100 g vitamin C during the second half of pregnancy is a simple yet inexpensive intervention which could have far-reaching clinical effects.
