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Creatine for women in pregnancy for neuroprotection of the fetus.

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews
January 1, 1970
Hayley Dickinson et al. (6 authors)
Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tReviewSystematic ReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to assess whether maternally administered creatine (obtained from dairy, fish, or meat) during pregnancy could provide fetal neuroprotection and reduce adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Results Summary

No randomized controlled trials were found to evaluate creatine's effects for fetal neuroprotection in human pregnancy, so no conclusions could be drawn regarding its efficacy or safety. Animal studies suggest potential benefits, but human data is lacking.

Population

Pregnant women (human studies not conducted; animal studies referenced).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (4)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
creatine
increase
fetal neuroprotection
fetus
-
may provide fetal neuroprotection
#1
creatine
increase
neuroprotection
fetus
-
may offer neuroprotection
#2
creatine
decrease
adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes
fetus
-
may accordingly reduce the risk
#3
creatine
increase
fetal neuroprotection
fetus
-
supported a fetal neuroprotective role
#4
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Creatine is an amino acid derivative and, when phosphorylated (phosphocreatine), is involved in replenishing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) via the creatine kinase reaction. Cells obtain creatine from a diet rich in fish, meat, or dairy and by endogenous synthesis from the amino acids arginine, glycine, and methionine in an approximate 50:50 ratio. Animal studies have shown that creatine may provide fetal neuroprotection when given to the mother through her diet in pregnancy. It is important to assess whether maternally administered creatine in human pregnancy (at times of known, suspected, or potential fetal compromise) may offer neuroprotection to the fetus and may accordingly reduce the risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, such as cerebral palsy and associated impairments and disabilities arising from fetal brain injury. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of creatine when used for neuroprotection of the fetus. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (30 November 2014). SELECTION CRITERIA: We planned to include all published, unpublished, and ongoing randomised trials and quasi-randomised trials. We planned to include studies reported as abstracts only as well as full-text manuscripts. Trials using a cross-over or cluster-randomised design were not eligible for inclusion.We planned to include trials comparing creatine given to women in pregnancy for fetal neuroprotection (regardless of the route, timing, dose, or duration of administration) with placebo, no treatment, or with an alternative agent aimed at providing fetal neuroprotection. We also planned to include comparisons of different regimens for administration of creatine. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We identified no completed or ongoing randomised controlled trials. MAIN RESULTS: We found no randomised controlled trials for inclusion in this review. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: As we did not identify any randomised controlled trials for inclusion in this review, we are unable to comment on implications for practice. Although evidence from animal studies has supported a fetal neuroprotective role for creatine when administered to the mother during pregnancy, no trials assessing creatine in pregnant women for fetal neuroprotection have been published to date. If creatine is established as safe for the mother and her fetus, research efforts should first be directed towards randomised trials comparing creatine with either no intervention (ideally using a placebo), or with alternative agents aimed at providing fetal neuroprotection (including magnesium sulphate for the very preterm infant). If appropriate, these trials should then be followed by studies comparing different creatine regimens (dosage and duration of exposure). Such trials should be high quality and adequately powered to evaluate maternal and infant short and longer-term outcomes (including neurodevelopmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy), and should consider utilisation/costs of health care.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Brain DiseasesCreatineFemaleFetal DiseasesHumansNeuroprotective AgentsPregnancy
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Quality50/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations26
Citations/Year2.4
Relative Citation Ratio1.15
NIH Percentile55.4%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.37
Normalized Score0.50
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