title: Antioxidants for preventing preeclampsia: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the efficacy of antioxidants for preventing preeclampsia and other maternal and fetal complications among pregnant women with low, moderate, or high risk of preeclampsia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, mRCT, and other databases, with no language or publication restrictions. Two independent reviewers selected randomized controlled trials that evaluated the use of antioxidants versus placebo and extracted the relevant data. Relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. The data were compiled through the random effects model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen studies were included (21,012 women and 21,647 fetuses). No statistically significant difference was found between women who received antioxidant treatment and women who received placebo for preeclampsia (RR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.82-1.04), severe preeclampsia (RR = 1.03; 95% CI: 0.87-1.22), preterm birth (RR = 1.03; 95% CI: 0.94-1.14), and small for gestational age <10th centile (RR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.80-1.05). Side effects were numerically more frequent in the antioxidants group compared to placebo, but without significant statistical difference (RR = 1.24; 95% CI: 0.85-1.80).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The available evidence reviewed does not support the use of antioxidants during pregnancy for the prevention of preeclampsia and other outcomes.
authors.affiliation: University of Brasilia, Faculty of Medicine, Asa Norte, 70910-900 Brasilia, DF, Brazil.
authors.forename: Adriana Magalhaes Ribeiro
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Salles
authors.forename: Tais Freire
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Galvao
authors.forename: Marcus Tolentino
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Lucilia Casulari Domingues
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Motta
authors.forename: Mauricio Gomes
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants