Bibliographic information
GuidelineWHO recommendations on adolescent health: guidelines approved by the WHO guidelines review committee
Year of Publication2017
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Recommendation
New
Vitamin E and C supplementation is not recommended for pregnant women to improve maternal and perinatal outcomes.
Not recommended
Notes and Remarks
- 1.The GDG noted that vitamin E and C combined supplements were evaluated mainly in the context of preventing pre-eclampsia. Vitamin C is important for improving the bioavailability of oral iron, but this was not considered within the context of the Cochrane reviews. In addition, low-certainty evidence on vitamin C alone suggests that it may prevent prelabour rupture of membranes (PROM). Therefore, the GDG agreed that future research should consider vitamin C supplements separately from vitamin E and C supplements.
- 2.Pregnant women should be encouraged to receive adequate nutrition, which is best achieved through consumption of a healthy, balanced diet, and to refer to guidelines on healthy eating. It is relatively easy to consume sufficient quantities of vitamin C from food sources