Effects of vitamins E and C in reduction of preeclampsia blood pressure incidence in primigravids

The preeclapsia causes about 5-10 of pregnancies to be complicated and leads to increasing maternal morbidity and mortality rate in both mother and fetus. One of proposed preventions is using of antioxidants during pregnancy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamins E and C on the pregnancy-related blood pressure as the major sign of the preeclapsia. In this clinical trial study, 150 primigravids, aged 20-35, gestational age 20 weeks, singleton, negative family history of preeclampsia, chronic hypertension or other organic disease, with normal BMI, nonsmokers, moderate socioeconomic level and without molar pregnancy and polyhydramnious, are divided into two equal groups of case and control. The case group received 500 mg vitamin C and 400 IU vitamin E every day. The control group received no vitamin. Using a questionnaire, the data were obtained and analyzed using t, paired t and Fisher exact statistical tests. The preeclampsia rates were 2 (2/6%) and 11 (14/7%) in the case and control groups, respectively (p<0.01). In the case group, the mean of systolic pressure befor and after study were 96.1±9.7 and 109.8±9.5 mmHg, respectiely. In the control group this parameters were 94.6+8.7 and 113.8±8.7 mmHg, respectively (p>0.05). In the case group, the mean of pressure was 60.2±8.3 mmHg before diastolic and 65.5±3.8 at the end of pregnancy and after the intervention. In the control group, this parameter was 59.6±20 and achieved to 72.2±16 at the end of the pregnancy (p<0.01). Our results showed that use of 400 IU vitamin E and 500 mg vitamin C during pregnancy prevented incidence of preeclampsia and reduced mean diastolic pressure, but had no effect on mean systolic pressure. Therefore, it is recommended to use the medications in the high risk-pregnant women.