Pre-eclampsia: A challenge to public health teams worldwide to ensure that maternal diets contain adequate levels of folic acid, n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin D at conception

Trace element Analyses in a Black South African Pregnant Population: The role of Dietary history and Antenatal supplements in the occurrence of pre-eclampsia

“…This observation was expected because Ca and Mg levels are known to be reduced in pregnancy due to both maternal dietary deficiency and the need for fetal bone mineralization [9]. A previous study also reported a reduction in serum levels of Ca and Mg in PE [3]. The reason for the relative normalcy of these measured parameters in the present study however may be explained by the fact that over 50% of the study participants had received Ca supplementation (Table 3).…”

“…Serum vitamin D levels in the present study though within the normal limits were at the lower end of the reference range. The reason for this possible deficiency may be due to either low vitamin D supplementation or religious and cultural beliefs surrounding early morning sun exposure in pregnant women [3,7]. It is important to note that pregnant women with little exposure of their skin to sunlight are at a greater risk of vitamin D deficiency and may need additional vitamin D supplements [4,5,7].…”

“…Thus, treatment is empirical and involves the identification of patients with early clinical signs of PE, lowering of high blood pressure and timely delivery [2]. Recently, epidemiological studies have suggested that diets containing inadequate levels of folic acid, n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin D at conception are associated with low birth weight babies and intrauterine growth restriction, and possibly have role in the etiology of PE [3]. Furthermore, some reports suggest that in low-middle income countries (LMIC), which have calcium deficient diets, rates of PE are high [4].…”

“…Furthermore, some reports suggest that in low-middle income countries (LMIC), which have calcium deficient diets, rates of PE are high [4]. It is therefore plausible that dietary deficiencies of essential elements such as calcium (Ca) and vitamin D may have roles in the pathogenesis of PE [3]. This is especially true when there is evidence of a metabolic interplay between Ca, magnesium (Mg), vitamin D, phosphate and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the absorption of trace elements and the synthesis of vasoactive substances such as prostacyclin and nitric oxide [5][6][7].…”