Effect of early vitamin D supplementation on the incidence of preeclampsia in primigravid women: a randomised clinical trial in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Published in: BMC pregnancy and childbirth 2024-02, Vol.24 (1), p.107-107, Article 107
• Main Authors: Kabuyanga, Richard Kabuseba, Tugirimana, Pierrot Lundimu, Sifa, Balungwe, Balezi, Mwanga, Dikete, Michel Ekanga, Mitangala, Prudence Ndeba, Elongi, Jean Pierre Moyene, Kinenkinda, Xavier Kalume, Kakoma, Jean-Baptiste Sakatolo Zambeze
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Apgar score; Birth weight; Cesarean Section; Cholecalciferol - therapeutic use; Clinical trials; Democratic Republic of the Congo - epidemiology; Dietary Supplements; Disease; Female; Health facilities; Hospitals; Humans; Hypertension; Incidence; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Pre-Eclampsia - epidemiology; Pre-Eclampsia - prevention & control; Preeclampsia; Pregnancy; Premature birth; Prenatal care; Prevention; Supplementation; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamin deficiency; Vitamins - therapeutic use; Womens health; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1471-2393; 1471-2393
• DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06277-6

Previous studies have reported the association between maternal vitamin D deficiency and preeclampsia. However, the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in reducing the occurrence of preeclampsia remains unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cholecalciferol supplementation on the incidence of preeclampsia in primigravid women and its related maternal and foetal outcomes. A single-blinded clinical trial was conducted in fourteen antenatal care health facilities in the North (Goma, Mwesso, Nyiragongo) and South Kivu (Bukavu-Panzi) provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo from March 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021. A total of 1300 primigravid women not exceeding 16 weeks of gestation were randomised with a 1:1 ratio to either the supplemented (A) or control (B) group. Each pregnant woman (A) presenting for antenatal care received a single monthly dose of cholecalciferol (60,000 IU) orally for 6 months. The control group received no vitamin D supplementation or placebo. Serum 25(OH)D was measured at recruitment and at 34 weeks of gestation. Outcomes were assessed monthly until delivery. The median maternal age was 21 years (14-40), while the median gestational age was 15 weeks (5.4-29.0). A significant reduction in the risk of preeclampsia [RR = 0.36 (0.19-0.69); p = 0.001] and preterm delivery [RR = 0.5 (0.32-0.78); p = 0.002] was observed in the intervention group. An RR of 0.43 [(0.27-0.67); p