A dietary supplement may protect pregnant women facing a life-threatening complication, researchers revealed today.
Pregnant women at high risk of developing pre-eclampsia could benefit from the supplement, which contains an amino acid and antioxidant vitamins, according to the new findings.
Researchers found the supplement seemed to halve the risk of women developing the condition.
Experts welcomed the findings – but also urged caution.
The conclusion comes after a team of researchers in Mexico and the USA found that women who were given L-arginine, an amino acid that helps to maintain a healthy blood flow during pregnancy, were less likely to develop the condition than those who did not receive it.
A trial in Mexico City followed 672 pregnant women who were at high risk of pre-eclampsia. They were randomly divided into three groups: 228 received daily food bars containing both L-arginine and antioxidant vitamins, 222 received bars containing only vitamins, and 222 received placebo bars, which contained no L-arginine or vitamins.
They took the supplements from about 20 weeks’ gestation and continued until delivery. Their blood pressure and L-arginine levels were measured every three to four weeks at the hospital clinic.
Researchers found that the proportion of women developing pre-eclampsia was 30.2 per cent in the placebo group, 22.5 per cent in the vitamin only group, and 12.7 per cent in the L-arginine plus vitamin group.
L-arginine plus vitamins also significantly reduced the risk of premature birth compared with the placebo.
Writing in the British Medical Journal online, the researchers say: “This relatively simple and low cost intervention may have value in reducing the risk of pre-eclampsia and associated preterm birth.”
But Professor Liam Smeeth, clinical epidemiologist from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and David Williams, obstetric physician at the Institute for Women’s Health, University College London Hospital, London, said while the trial in Mexico was important, it left crucial questions unanswered.
In an accompanying editorial, they ask: "How do L-arginine and vitamins work together? What are the potential harmful effects? What are the effects in other settings and populations?"
Frances Day-Stirk, Royal College of Midwives’ Learning, Research and Practice Development Director, welcomed the report, saying it proved the need for further research.
She said: "The study showed that the dietary supplement made a significant difference in women at risk of pre-eclampsia, if given before the condition was established."
She added: "We can’t say, and, neither do the authors, that such dietary supplements should be rolled out to all women, as it hasn’t been tested with low-risk women. The women in this study were very carefully selected, so while this is important and significant research in this area it needs to be further explored."
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