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Health News Archive 437 - Pregnancy
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Vitamin C Prevents Pregnancy Complication

One hundred nine pregnant women living in Mexico City who were not taking vitamin supplements were randomly assigned to receive, in double-blind fashion, 100 mg/day of vitamin C or placebo.  Treatment was begun in the 20th week of gestation.  The mean dietary vitamin C intakes were 63 and 68 mg/day in the placebo and vitamin C groups, respectively.  The incidence of premature rupture of the chorioamniotic membranes (PROM) was 24.6% in the placebo group and 7.7% in the vitamin C group (relative risk = 0.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.078-0.837).

Comment from Alan R. Gaby, MD

PROM affects 10-20% of all pregnancies.  It is the main known cause of preterm delivery and is associated with increased rates of neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality.  Vitamin C plays a role in the synthesis of collagen, which is involved in maintaining the mechanical strength of the chorioamniotic membranes.

The results of the present study indicate that supplementing with 100 mg/day of vitamin D beginning in the 20th week of gestation decreased the incidence of PROM by 74% in Mexican women with borderline-low dietary vitamin C intake.  Whether vitamin C supplementation would reduce the incidence of PROM in women whose dietary intake of vitamin C is higher should be the topic of future investigation.

Source: Casaneuva E, et al. Vitamin C supplementation to prevent premature rupture of the chorioamniotic membranes: a randomized trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2005;81:859-863.

Reprinted with exclusive permission of Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients - October 2005.

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