ROLE OF ANTIOXIDANTS IN RECURRENT PREGNANCY LOSSES, LOW BIRTH WEIGHT, AND GESTATIONAL DURATION
Author(s)
Bhatti TA* Health Services Academy, Islamabad, Pakistan
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present research was to study the impact of antioxidants on the maternal and child health of women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) and healthy pregnancies. The three main variables studied for the purpose included (i) low birth weight (LBW), (ii) gestational duration (GD) and (iii) RPL with a history of RPL METHODS: The study was conducted in two parts. Study 1 focused on the impact of antioxidants on mothers with RPL with a sample size of 123 mothers out of 200 cases. Study 2 focused on the impact of antioxidants on LBW and GD included a sample of 900 women with healthy pregnancy of 6 months. Each of the study groups were divided in to experimental (active arm) and control group (placebo arm). It was hypothesized that (1) Oral antioxidant supplementation will reduce the rate of recurrent pregnancy loss, (2) Oral supplementation of antioxidants during pregnancy will increase the birth weight of the child, and (3) Oral supplementation of antioxidants will decrease premature births. RESULTS: it was found in study 1 that antioxidant supplementation reduced the chances of RPL as the chances of conception in women in the active arm increased by 36%. Study 2 revealed that the chance of LBW was reduced by 15% in women that received antioxidant supplements and the average weight of their infants in the active arm increased by 0.30kg. It was found that the gestational period for women in the active arm increased by 12 days and they were 30 times more likely to give birth within their expected date of delivery (EDD). Lastly, it was also found that maternal and neonatal mortality was also reduced by 4.4% and 2.9% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: It is conclusion that antioxidants be made mandatory for normal pregnant women and especially women of RPL.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2013-09, ISPOR Latin America 2013, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Value in Health, Vol. 16, No. 7 (November 2013)
Code
PIH3
Topic
Clinical Outcomes
Topic Subcategory
Comparative Effectiveness or Efficacy
Disease
Pediatrics, Reproductive and Sexual Health