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Efficacy of Vitamin E Supplementation During Pregnancy on the Vitamin E Nutritional Status of the Mother-Child Dyad: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trial.

  • 2026-03-22
  • Food science & nutrition 14(3)
    • Byanca Rodrigues Carneiro
    • Anny Cristine de Araújo
    • Yvi Melo Sisinano
    • Amanda Freitas de Oliveira
    • Adriana Augusto de Rezende
    • Karla Danielly da Silva Ribeiro

Study Design

Type
Review
Population
3.823 pregnant women
Methods
Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs comparing vitamin E supplementation in pregnant women with placebo; searches in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, LILACS, Cochrane Library; risk of bias assessment using Cochrane tool; meta-analysis using RevMan 5.4; GRADE for certainty of evidence
Funding
Unclear
The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate the effects of vitamin E supplementation on maternal and neonatal vitamin E status. Studies were systematically searched in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, LILACS, and the Cochrane Library. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing vitamin E supplementation in pregnant women with placebo were included. Study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool were independently performed by reviewers. Meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.4, and the certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Six RCTs including 3.823 pregnant women met the inclusion criteria. Vitamin E supplementation significantly increased maternal serum α-TOH concentrations (SMD = 4.89; 95% CI: 2.89-6.89; p < 0.001), although substantial heterogeneity was observed (I2 = 99%). Maternal serum levels of vitamin E were measured at baseline and postpartum. No significant effects were found for gestational age at birth (SMD = 0.04 weeks; 95% CI: -0.03 to 0.11; I2 = 0%; p = 0.29) or birth weight (SMD = -0.02 g; 95% CI: -0.09 to 0.04; I2 = 62%; p = 0.49). Overall, the studies showed a low risk of bias, with evidence certainty ranging from low to moderate. Meta-analysis results indicate that vitamin E supplementation during pregnancy increases maternal α-TOH levels but shows no consistent clinical benefits for neonatal outcomes. Evidence is limited and heterogeneous, highlighting the need for well-designed trials to clarify its role.

Research Insights

  • Vitamin E→Increased Alpha-Tocopherol Level

    Vitamin E supplementation significantly increased maternal serum α-TOH concentrations (SMD = 4.89; 95% CI: 2.89-6.89; p < 0.001)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
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