Expectant Mothers , who carry a high risk of the potentially-fatal condition of pre-eclampsia, should make sure they do not consume large doses of Vitamin C and E. Recent research has suggested that Vitamins in large doses are not beneficial to pregnant women and can trigger pre-eclampsia.
Pre-eclampsia, is a dangerous condition that causes an unhealthy rise of Blood pressure in pregnant women which is a common cause of deaths and still born babies. It is no exaggeration that nearly 25,000 British women suffer pre-eclampsia, as per the yearly statistics.During this condition, toxic molecules called free radicals are released by the placenta. Earlier studies had shown the beneficial effects of Vitamin C and E, which releases antioxidants that were thought to stave off pre-eclampsia, now this exhaustive study conducted by Tommy’s baby charity, has discovered the adverse effect of such vitamins that enhance the susceptibility.
This was proved amongst 2,400 expectant mothers, who suffered problems of high blood pressure, kidney problems, clotting disorders or diabetes, were subjected to a test when they were given extra vitamin supplements or a placebo. The study reported that pre-eclampsia figured in the women who received the vitamins about a week in advance, increasing their risk of delivering low birth weight babies, by 15%.
Lead researcher Professor Shennan said “In addition, folic acid was not a vitamin used in this trial and still should be taken as it is recommended in the UK prior to conception and in early pregnancy to reduce the risk of spina bifida."
Lancet Medical Journal has published the study, which was sponsored by the Wellcome Trust.
