5-Methyl-tetrahydrofolate in prevention of recurrent preeclampsia

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) supplementation in prevention of recurrent preeclampsia.

Methods: Retrospective cohort of women who received daily oral 5-MTHF 15 mg supplementation as prophylactic treatment since first trimester for recurrent preeclampsia were compared with women who did not. All asymptomatic singleton gestations with prior preeclampsia (in the previous pregnancy) were included. Women with chronic hypertension were excluded. The primary outcome was the incidence of preeclampsia.

Results: Three hundred and three singleton gestation met the inclusion criteria: 157 received 5-MTHF, while 146 did not (control group). Women who received 5-MTHF had a significantly lower incidence of recurrent overall preeclampsia (21.7% versus 39.7%; odds ratio (OR) 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.25, 0.69), severe preeclampsia (3.2% versus 8.9%; OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.12–0.97) and early-onset preeclampsia (1.9% versus 7.5%; OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.07–0.87) compared to control. The intervention group delivered about 10 d after the control and had higher birth weight.

Conclusion: This retrospective study showed that women with prior preeclampsia who received daily oral 5-MTHF 15 mg supplementation had a significantly lower incidence of overall preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia and early-onset preeclampsia. Randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm our findings.

• Folic acid
• hypertension
• prevention
• recurrent
• supplementation

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Biagio Simonetti, PhD, for his assistance with the statistical analysis.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. No financial support was received for this study.