title: Prevention of preeclampsia.
abstract: Preeclampsia is a common complication of pregnancy that is associated with an increased risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Currently, delivery is the only cure for preeclampsia; therefore, effective prevention and treatment options for this condition are sorely needed. In the current issue of the JCI, Mirzakhani et al. report the findings of the Vitamin D Antenatal Asthma Reduction Trial (VDAART), a well-conducted large, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation for the prevention of preeclampsia. Though vitamin D supplementation had no effect on the risk of preeclampsia, reduced maternal serum vitamin D levels did correlate with preeclampsia risk. Mirzakhani and colleagues identified a number of gene pathways that are differentially regulated among women with low serum vitamin D levels who develop preeclampsia. These results indicate that further research on the role of vitamin D in preeclampsia is warranted.
authors.forename: Chad A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Grotegut
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D