Is micronutrients supplementation useful in pregnancy?

De Leo V, Benedetto C, Cianci A.

Istituto di Ginecologia e Ostetricia, Università degli Studi di Siena, Siena, Italia

 

Use of micronutrients in pregnancy appears to be useful in prevention of some pregnancy related pathologies if used continuously before and during all nine months of pregnancy. The assumption of specific micronutrients, with vitamins and mineral salt inside, could be use to correct some deficiencies and prevent the onset of specific pregnancy related diseases. An adequate support of micronutrients can ensure physiological fetal growth contributing to the development of various fetal organs. Besides folic acid administered in appropriate doses (>400 mug), that it is able to prevent some fetal diseases, such as the closure of the neural tube, other vitamins such as vitamin A are very effective in ensuring an optimal state of health of the mother and slowing the growth of uterine myomas.

Maternal consumption of folic acid-containing prenatal multivitamins is associated with decreased risk for several congenital anomalies, not only neural tube defects. These data have major public health implications, because until now fortification of only folic acid has been encouraged. This approach should be reconsidered.  (Prenatal Multivitamin Supplementation and rates of congenital anomalies: a meta-analysis. Goh YI, Bollano, E., Einarson, TR., Koren, G.)