Nutritional supplements for preventing preeclampsia: A network meta-analysis.

2026-06-20
The Indian journal of medical research 164
- Changxiu Wang
- Cuiping You
- Yanxin Zhang

PubMed: 42397815
DOI: 10.25259/ijmr_1582_2025

Study Design

Type: Review
Sample size: n = 18,133
Population: 18133 participants in the intervention group and 17971 in the placebo group
Methods: Network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials; searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science

Research on the effects of different oral nutritional supplements in preventing preeclampsia has yielded controversial results. This network meta-analysis sought to ascertain the effect of diverse oral nutritional supplements in preventing preeclampsia. Randomised controlled trials in preventing preeclampsia were searched in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science. The primary outcome was preeclampsia. Secondary outcomes included eclampsia and gestational hypertension. 22 studies were included, with 18133 participants in the intervention group and 17971 in the placebo group. Compared with placebo, L-arginine and vitamin B and vitamin C and vitamin E (L-arginine-VB-VC-VE) [Odds ratio (OR)=0.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.20, 0.54)], linoleic-acid-calcium (OR=0.16, 95% CI 0.041, 0.50), vitamin D (VD) (OR=0. 34, 95% CI 0.17, 0.65), and calcium (OR=0.77, 95% CI 0.65, 0.91) were more effective in preventing preeclampsia. The first three nutritional supplements were superior to calcium. There was no difference among these three supplements. None of the four nutritional supplements (calcium, phytonutrient, VC, and VC-VE) were effective in preventing gestational hypertension. Oral calcium, L-arginine-VB-VC-VE, linoleic-acid-calcium, and VD could be effective approaches to prevent preeclampsia.

Research Insights

Calcium→Reduced Eclampsia
Secondary outcomes included eclampsia
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
not specified
Calcium→Reduced Gestational Hypertension
None of the four nutritional supplements (calcium, phytonutrient, VC, and VC-VE) were effective in preventing gestational hypertension.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
not specified
Calcium→Reduced Preeclampsia
Compared with placebo, ... vitamin D (VD) (OR=0.34, 95% CI 0.17, 0.65) ... were more effective in preventing preeclampsia.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Dose
not specified
L-Arginine→Reduced Preeclampsia
Compared with placebo, ... vitamin D (VD) (OR=0.34, 95% CI 0.17, 0.65) ... were more effective in preventing preeclampsia.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Dose
not specified
Vitamin C→Reduced Eclampsia
Secondary outcomes included eclampsia
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
not specified
Vitamin C→Reduced Gestational Hypertension
None of the four nutritional supplements (calcium, phytonutrient, VC, and VC-VE) were effective in preventing gestational hypertension.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
not specified
Vitamin C→Reduced Preeclampsia
Compared with placebo, ... vitamin D (VD) (OR=0.34, 95% CI 0.17, 0.65) ... were more effective in preventing preeclampsia.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Dose
not specified
Vitamin D→Reduced Eclampsia
Secondary outcomes included eclampsia
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
not specified
Vitamin D→Reduced Gestational Hypertension
None of the four nutritional supplements (calcium, phytonutrient, VC, and VC-VE) were effective in preventing gestational hypertension.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
not specified
Vitamin D→Reduced Preeclampsia
Compared with placebo, ... vitamin D (VD) (OR=0.34, 95% CI 0.17, 0.65) ... were more effective in preventing preeclampsia.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Dose
not specified
Vitamin E→Reduced Gestational Hypertension
None of the four nutritional supplements (calcium, phytonutrient, VC, and VC-VE) were effective in preventing gestational hypertension.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
not specified
Vitamin E→Reduced Preeclampsia
Compared with placebo, ... vitamin D (VD) (OR=0.34, 95% CI 0.17, 0.65) ... were more effective in preventing preeclampsia.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Dose
not specified