Effect of lycopene on pre-eclampsia and intra-uterine growth retardation in primigravidas.
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effect of the antioxidant lycopene on the occurrence of pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation in primigravida women.


METHODS
A total of 251 primigravida women were enrolled in this prospective, randomized controlled study in the second trimester. A total of 116 women were given oral lycopene (Group I) in a dose of 2 mg twice daily while 135 women were given a placebo (Group II) in the same dose until delivery. The criteria for recruitment included gestational age of 16-20 weeks, singleton pregnancy, absence of any medical complication and willingness on the part of the women to participate in the study. The women were followed-up until delivery for development of pre-eclampsia, mode of delivery and fetal outcome.


RESULTS
The two groups were comparable in their maternal characteristics. Pre-eclampsia developed in significantly less women in the lycopene group than in the placebo group (8.6% vs. 17.7%, P=0.043 by chi-square test). Mean diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher in the placebo group (92.2+/-5.98 mmHg vs. 86.7+/-3.80 mmHg, P=0.012). Mean fetal weight was significantly higher in the lycopene group (2751.17+/-315.76 g vs. 2657+/-444.30 g, P=0.049). The incidence of intrauterine growth retardation was significantly lower in the lycopene group than in the placebo group (12% vs. 23.7%, P=0.033).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the present study suggest that the antioxidant lycopene reduces the development of pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation in primigravida women.
Sharma
J B
JB
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maulana Azad Medical College and associated Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India. jbsharma@eth.net
Kumar
Ashok
A
Kumar
A
A
Malhotra
M
M
Arora
R
R
Prasad
S
S
Batra
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005865:Gestational Age; D020073:Gravidity; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D000077276:Lycopene; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000975:Antioxidants; D002338:Carotenoids; D000077276:Lycopene