Does Vitamin C Decrease Preterm Birth Risk?

Pregnancy News

Obie Editorial Team

vitamin C during pregnancyResearchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill recently published a study in the American Journal of Perinatology on the impact of vitamin C supplementation on preterm birth rates. The study was written as a review of current and past clinical trials on the subject. Study data was pulled from countries similar to those in the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development.

After careful review, researchers were unable to find a connection between vitamin C or vitamin C&E supplementation on preterm birth risk. Researchers located three studies fitted the review guidelines, but no positive outcome was noted after supplementation in higher risk groups.

Researchers went on to state that the results of this review do not attempt to limit or examine possible use of vitamin C during pregnancy for other health indications.

Source: Swaney P, Thorp J, Allen I. Vitamin C Supplementation in Pregnancy-Does It Decrease Rates of Preterm Birth? A Systematic Review. Am J Perinatol. 2013 Mar 18.