Effect of High Dose Folic Acid Supplementation on the Prevention of Pre-Eclampsia in Pregnancy with Hypertension
Chaoyou Zhou1, Qiongshan Li2, Yinjian Zhou1, Zhuangzhuang Xu2, Yan Jin2★★ Corresponding author
- 1Department of Gynaecology, Huzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, CHINA
- 2Department of Obstetrical, Huzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, CHINA
CORRESPONDENCE
Yan Jin
Attending Doctor, Department of Obstetrical, Huzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, 2 East Street, Wuxing District, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province- 313000, CHINA.
Received: 18-12-2023; Revised: 09-07-2024; Accepted: 23-08-2024.
Volume 59, Issue 1S · pp. s361–s366 · PUBLISHED Jan-Mar 2025 · DOI: 10.5530/ijper.20255955
ABSTRACT
Background “Pre-eclampsia” is one of the most dangerous pregnancy complications, increasing the risk of both the mother and the baby dying prematurely. Because there have been conflicting findings on whether folic acid can reduce the incidence of pre-eclampsia, we conducted a randomized clinical trial of high-dose folic acid administration to pregnant women at a high risk of pre-eclampsia. Materials and Methods The study was a randomized clinical trial involving 1500 pregnant women. These women were randomly assigned into the Folic acid group (n=750) and Placebo group (n=750). From randomization (gestation period of 8 to 16 complete weeks) to birth, group 1 received 4mg of folic acid and group 2 received placebo per day. Participants were also analyzed for compliance over ≤50%, 50-<75% and ?75%. Four follow-ups were scheduled at 24-26, 34-36 gestational weeks, after birth and 42 days post-partum. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of pre-eclampsia. In contrast, secondary outcome measures included early pre-term birth, stillbirth, neonatal death, perinatal mortality, early-onset sepsis and admission to NICU for 24 hr or more. Results The present investigation showed that the incidence of pre-eclampsia was significantly lower in the folic acid group compared to placebo group (5.3% vs 10%) with a Risk Ratio (RR) of 0.53 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.53 to 0.79. Similarly, the incidence of secondary outcomes was also reduced in the folic acid group compared to the placebo group. Conclusion The results of the study lend support to the idea that pregnant women with “hypertension” should take high-dose folic acid supplements as a prophylactic measure against pre-eclampsia.
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Zhou, C., Li, Q., Zhou, Y., Xu, Z., & Jin, Y. (2025). Effect of High Dose Folic Acid Supplementation on the Prevention of Pre-Eclampsia in Pregnancy with Hypertension. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, 59(1S), s361–s366. https://doi.org/10.5530/ijper.20255955