High Blood Pressure in Pregnant Diabetics Not Lowered by Vitamin Supplements

A recent study appearing in the online journal The Lancet has found that vitamin supplements taken by type 1 diabetic women during pregnancy does not lower the risk of preeclampsia, a disorder where blood pressure increases suddenly after 20 weeks of gestation.

Earlier research suggested that antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamins C and E, may prevent the decreased level of antioxidants and increased oxidative stress linked to type 1 diabetes. However, this study, which was presented at the American Diabetes Association meeting, has found that the vitamin supplements have little effect on increased blood pressure.

For the study, British researchers assigned the 762 expecting mothers with type 1 diabetes participating in the research to a daily regimen of either a placebo pill or 1000 milligrams of vitamin C and 400 IU of vitamin E. The women were started on the supplements or placebo between their 8th and 22nd week of pregnancy and delivery.

Researchers found that in the group taking the vitamin supplements, the rate of preeclampsia was 15 percent. For the placebo group, the rate was 19 percent. The research team found that women who were given vitamins C and E had a lower risk of preterm delivery. In addition, women in the vitamin group with low antioxidant status at the beginning of the study were found to have a considerably lower risk of preeclampsia, as well as a reduced risk of giving birth to a baby with a low birthweight.

If left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious complications or death for mother and baby, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you or your baby suffered an injury during labor or delivery that may have been preventable, please call or e-mail the experienced birth injury attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. today for a free case evaluation. Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. has helped clients with Bronx medical malpractice, Queens medical malpractice, Brooklyn medical malpractice, Manhattan medical malpractice and Long Island medical malpractice cases.

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