Maternal Nutritional Supplements and Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy
Summary
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, notably gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, remain leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity worldwide. These conditions arise from abnormal placental development, endothelial dysfunction and an imbalance between pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors, often exacerbated by oxidative stress and inflammation. Maternal nutritional supplements have been investigated as low-cost, population-wide strategies to modulate these pathophysiological processes. Folic acid supports DNA synthesis and lowers homocysteine levels, thereby promoting healthy placental vascularisation. Calcium and vitamin D contribute to vascular tone regulation and immune modulation, while antioxidants such as vitamins C and E counteract placental oxidative damage. Emerging compounds including resveratrol exhibit anti-inflammatory and vasoprotective properties. The cumulative evidence suggests that targeted supplementation, ideally integrated into routine antenatal care, can reduce the incidence or severity of hypertensive disorders, with particular benefit seen in high-risk populations. However, optimal dosing regimens, timing and combinations require further clarification to maximise benefit and minimise unintended effects.
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Maternal Nutritional Supplements and Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in maternal nutritional supplements and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Preeclampsia: Obstetric syndrome characterised by new-onset hypertension and multi-organ dysfunction after 20 weeks’ gestation.
Gestational hypertension: Elevated blood pressure first detected in pregnancy without accompanying proteinuria or end-organ impairment.
Homocysteine: Sulphur-containing amino acid whose raised levels are implicated in endothelial injury and preeclampsia risk.
Antioxidant: Molecule that neutralises reactive oxygen species, thereby reducing oxidative stress and cellular damage.
Nutraceutical: Bioactive compound derived from foods or extracts with potential therapeutic or preventive health effects.
References
- Biological Role of Folic Acid in Pregnancy and Possible Therapeutic Application for the Prevention of Preeclampsia. Biomedicines (2023).
- Nutraceuticals and Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy: The Available Clinical Evidence. Nutrients (2020).
- Dietary intake and serum concentrations of vitamin A and vitamin E and pre-eclampsia risk in Chinese pregnant women: A matched case-control study. Frontiers in Nutrition (2023).
- Antioxidants for Preventing Preeclampsia: A Systematic Review. The Scientific World JOURNAL (2012).
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