Prenatal vitamin C and E supplementation in smokers is associated with reduced placental abruption and preterm birth: a secondary analysis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the relationship between prenatal vitamin C/E supplementation and perinatal outcomes in smokers versus nonsmokers, focusing on outcomes impacted by maternal smoking.
Results Summary
The study found no difference in pre-eclampsia or pregnancy-associated hypertension outcomes between smokers and nonsmokers. However, vitamin C/E supplementation reduced placental abruption and preterm birth in smokers but not in nonsmokers.
Population
Low-risk nulliparous women with singleton gestations.
Effective Dosage
Not specified in the abstract.
Duration
Supplementation started at 9-16 weeks of gestation (duration not specified).
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
prenatal vitamin C and E (C/E) supplementation | no change | risk of PE | smokers versus nonsmokers | P = 0.66 | did not differ | #1 |
prenatal vitamin C and E (C/E) supplementation | no change | PAH composite outcome | smokers versus nonsmokers | P = 0.86 | did not differ | #2 |
vitamin C/E | decrease | placental abruption | smokers | relative risk [RR] 0.09; 95% CI 0.00-0.87 | was protective for | #3 |
vitamin C/E | no change | placental abruption | nonsmokers | RR 0.92; 95% CI 0.52-1.62 | not protective for | #4 |
vitamin C/E | decrease | preterm birth | smokers | RR 0.76; 95% CI 0.58-0.99 | was protective for | #5 |
vitamin C/E | no change | preterm birth | nonsmokers | RR 1.03; 95% CI 0.90-1.17 | not protective for | #6 |
smoking | no change | PE | women | - | not associated with a reduction in | #7 |
smoking | no change | composite outcome of PAH | women | - | not associated with a reduction in | #8 |
Vitamin C/E supplementation | decrease | placental abruption | smokers | - | appears to be associated with a reduction in | #9 |
Vitamin C/E supplementation | decrease | preterm birth | smokers | - | appears to be associated with a reduction in | #10 |
OBJECTIVE: Smoking and pre-eclampsia (PE) are associated with increases in preterm birth, placental abruption and low birthweight. We evaluated the relationship between prenatal vitamin C and E (C/E) supplementation and perinatal outcomes by maternal self-reported smoking status focusing on outcomes known to be impacted by maternal smoking. DESIGN/SETTING/POPULATION: A secondary analysis of a multi-centre trial of vitamin C/E supplementation starting at 9-16 weeks in low-risk nulliparous women with singleton gestations. METHODS: We examined the effect of vitamin C/E by smoking status at randomisation using the Breslow-Day test for interaction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The trial's primary outcomes were PE and a composite outcome of pregnancy-associated hypertension (PAH) with serious adverse outcomes. Perinatal outcomes included preterm birth and abruption. RESULTS: There were no differences in baseline characteristics within subgroups (smokers versus nonsmokers) by vitamin supplementation status. The effect of prenatal vitamin C/E on the risk of PE (P = 0.66) or PAH composite outcome (P = 0.86) did not differ by smoking status. Vitamin C/E was protective for placental abruption in smokers (relative risk [RR] 0.09; 95% CI 0.00-0.87], but not in nonsmokers (RR 0.92; 95% CI 0.52-1.62) (P = 0.01), and for preterm birth in smokers (RR 0.76; 95% CI 0.58-0.99) but not in nonsmokers (RR 1.03; 95% CI 0.90-1.17) (P = 0.046). CONCLUSION: In this cohort of women, smoking was not associated with a reduction in PE or the composite outcome of PAH. Vitamin C/E supplementation appears to be associated with a reduction in placental abruption and preterm birth among smokers.