Pregnancy is the period when women are most prone to nutritional deficiencies. Sufficient macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and water) are the keys to the normal development of the fetus.
Do you know the benefits of prenatal vitamins?
Pregnant women with uneven nutritional intake during pregnancy will not only increase the incidence of adverse pregnancy events (such as miscarriages, fetal malformations, low birth weight, premature birth, etc.) but also increase the risk of various diseases in the next generation, which will have a huge impact on health.
Due to the prevalence of external food, many pregnant women still do not get enough nutrition, so the appropriate amount of supplemental pregnant women’s vitamins has become a viable option.
Table of Contents
- What are the benefits of prenatal vitamins?
- 1. Prenatal vitamins reduce the incidence of autism
- 2. Prenatal vitamins reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes
- 3. Prenatal vitamins reduce the probability of low birth weight
- 4. Prenatal vitamins reduce the abortion rate
- 5. Prenatal vitamins reduce the incidence of congenital diaphragmatic hernia
- 6. Prenatal vitamins reduce premature births
- 7. Prenatal vitamins prevent neural tube defects
- Are there any side effects of prenatal vitamins?
- Where can I buy prenatal vitamins?
What are the benefits of prenatal vitamins?
1. Prenatal vitamins reduce the incidence of autism
autism spectrum disorders are one of a group of neurodevelopmental symptoms called pervasive developmental disorders, with a male to female ratio of 4:1. Over the past few decades, the prevalence of autism and related diseases worldwide has been rising. From about 4 out of every 10,000 children to 6 out of every 1,000 children.
Those whose core characteristics are: communication barriers, social interaction barriers, restrictive, repetitive, and rigid behavior or interest patterns. The performance of these injuries can change as other development skills are acquired.
A systematic literature review and meta-analysis (including 5 observational studies, including 231,163 children and 4,459 cases) pointed out that the overall analysis showed that the mothers were The risk of autism spectrum disorders in the offspring who previously supplemented the pregnant women’s comprehensive vitamin formula was significantly reduced.
*Conclusion: The use of comprehensive vitamin supplements by pregnant women during the prenatal period is associated with a lower risk of childhood autism spectrum disorders.
2. Prenatal vitamins reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes
Gestational Diabetes is mainly defined as any glucose intolerance during pregnancy, with an incidence of up to 15% to 20%. Related perinatal complications include hypertension, premature delivery, dystocia, stillbirth, clinical neonatal hypoglycemia, Hyperbilirubinemia, and cesarean section.
A meta-analysis of literature (including 20 observational studies, 9209 participants) pointed out that vitamin D deficiency will greatly increase the risk of gestational diabetes (an increase of 53%), but more large randomized trials are still needed to confirm Supplement the preventive effect.
Another meta-analysis of literature (including 5 randomized controlled trials) pointed out that supplementation of myo-inositol during pregnancy can significantly reduce gestational diabetes and premature delivery.
A retrospective case-control study (targeting 344 pregnant women) found that vitamin B12 deficiency during pregnancy was significantly associated with higher body mass index, gestational diabetes, and giant fetuses.
3. Prenatal vitamins reduce the probability of low birth weight
Low birth weight is mainly defined as the weight of infants and young children at birth that does not reach 2500 grams. It is estimated that about 20 million newborns worldwide do not reach the standard each year, especially in low- and middle-income countries, with an incidence rate of up to 20%.
The causes of low birth weight are malnutrition, infection (including malaria and AIDS), prenatal bleeding, chronic hypertension, and pregnancy-induced hypertension, diabetes, abnormal fetal position, multiple pregnancy, and premature birth.
It is easy to cause neonatal cerebral palsy, deafness, blindness, epilepsy, chronic lung disease, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, and other symptoms.
A meta-analysis of literature (including 13 studies with 2,299 participants) pointed out that compared with the control group without supplementation, neonates supplemented with vitamin D during pregnancy had better weight and length.
Another prospective generational study (targeting 2052 pregnant women) pointed out that low levels of vitamin D in the blood during pregnancy are often associated with small for gestational age, low birth weight, and preterm birth.
A Cochrane Database of Systematic Review (contains 19 studies, 138,538 participants) found that supplementing pregnant women with comprehensive vitamins (containing folic acid and iron) can help improve delivery outcomes, reduce low birth weight, and fetal Probability of pregnancy age.
4. Prenatal vitamins reduce the abortion rate
Abortion refers to a state in which the embryo or fetus autonomously loses 24 weeks before pregnancy. It often occurs in 15% of clinically confirmed pregnancy cases, and most of them are in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy.
Among the factors that cause miscarriage, 60% are related to aneuploidy. The remaining factors are abnormal uterine structure (such as fibroids or mediastinum), prone to thrombosis (such as antiphospholipid syndrome), and endocrine disorders ( Hypothyroidism), autoimmune diseases.
A Cochrane Database of Systematic Review (including 40 studies involving 278,413 pregnant women) found that neither supplementing pregnant women with comprehensive vitamins before or during early pregnancy could reduce the chance of miscarriage, but there may be help reduce the chance of stillbirth (especially formulas containing iron and folic acid).
Another prospective generation study (targeting 1,683 pregnant women) pointed out that if the value of vitamin D in the blood during early pregnancy (first-trimester, within 12 weeks) is less than 50 nmol/L, it will increase the risk of miscarriage by more than 2 times.
5. Prenatal vitamins reduce the incidence of congenital diaphragmatic hernia
A congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a phenomenon that describes the abnormal development of the diaphragm (closed hole) in the early pregnancy, which causes the abdominal organs (gastrointestinal, liver, and kidney) to slide into the chest cavity through the hole, and the incidence rate is less than five ten thousandths. common.
The chest space is restricted by external compression. In addition to causing abnormal lung development, causing respiratory insufficiency and persistent pulmonary hypertension, it may also be accompanied by cardiovascular malformations and defects in bones, nerves, urogenital system, and gastrointestinal tract.
A case-control study (57 pregnant women) pointed out that if the daily dietary intake of vitamin A is lower than the minimum recommended intake of 800 mcg, it will significantly increase the risk of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
Another perspective and a cross-sectional case-control study (targeting 77 pregnant women) pointed out that lower maternal blood vitamin D and calcium levels will also increase the incidence of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
6. Prenatal vitamins reduce premature births
Fetuses born before the complete 37-week gestation period are usually called preterm births. According to US statistics, about 11-12% of newborns are born prematurely each year, of which 3.6% are less than 34 weeks. Common possible triggers are Bleeding during pregnancy, excessive dilation in the uterus, incomplete cervix, hormonal changes, bacterial infections, and inflammation.
Adverse events related to preterm birth include cerebral palsy, behavioral problems, necrotizing enterocolitis, respiratory distress syndrome, retinopathy, hearing impairment, increased hospitalization rate, poor academic performance, etc., and the lower the gestational age, the greater the degree serious.
A meta-analysis of literature (including 18 observational studies and 6 randomized controlled trials) pointed out that insufficient or lack of vitamin D value (25-OHD) in maternal blood will increase the risk of preterm birth, and supplement vitamins during pregnancy D can reduce the incidence of premature birth by 43%.
Another literature review and meta-analysis (including 18 observational studies with a total of 11,216 participants) pointed out that maternal vitamin B12 deficiency (less than 148 pmol/L) during pregnancy will greatly increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.
Another prospective generational study (targeting 1149 pregnant Tibetan women) found that supplementing comprehensive vitamins during pregnancy can reduce the incidence of maternal anemia, and also reduce the incidence of preterm birth and low birth weight.
7. Prenatal vitamins prevent neural tube defects
The neural tube is the precursor tissue of the brain and spinal cord in the embryo. If it is incompletely closed during the formation of the neural tube, it is called neural tube defects. The incidence is between 1% and 10%, which causes premature fetal death and disability. The main reason.
The affected parts are most common in the head and spine, which can be divided into congenital anencephaly, open spina bifida, and myelin protrusion. The triggering factors may be related to genetic inheritance, maternal diabetes, malignant high fever, low socioeconomic status, and folic acid deficiency.
A Cochrane systematic review (contains 5 studies involving 7391 pregnant women) pointed out that folic acid supplementation during pregnancy (daily dose between 0.36 mg and 4 mg), regardless of whether other vitamins and minerals are used together, all help prevent the occurrence of neural tube defects, and the current evidence for the prevention of other birth defects is still insufficient.
Another literature meta-analysis (meta-analysis, including 9 studies, participants are 2132 pregnant women) pointed out that insufficient maternal vitamin B12 levels are an important risk factor for neural tube defects.
A small population observation study (a total of 132 pregnant women) found that vitamin D deficiency may be related to neural tube defects. .
Are there any side effects of prenatal vitamins?
It is very safe to use pregnant women’s comprehensive vitamins at an appropriate dose, but it is still necessary to pay attention to possible side effects or adverse reactions, including rash, itching, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing or speaking, unusual hoarseness, mouth/face/lips/ Swollen tongue or throat, abnormal stool color, upset stomach, etc.
If the above response appears after use, please seek formal medical assistance immediately.
Safety Precautions
1. It is best to consult a professional medical staff before use to evaluate the diet and physiological state to ensure safe use.
2. After taking multivitamin products, if you want to pair with any unilateral health food, please be sure to confirm with professional medical professionals to reduce the occurrence of an overdose.
3. Do not use in combination with drugs, which may affect the action of drugs.
Where can I buy prenatal vitamins?
In recent years, food safety problems in various countries have exploded, and it is not healthy but black-hearted products that everyone spends on. Therefore, European and American products with relatively strict quality control have become popular products.
And iHerb.com is a large-scale medical cosmetics e-commerce company in the United States. It has a high satisfaction rate of 97% in the evaluation of Google customers. It provides global home delivery so that you can buy it without risking buying fakes through purchasing high-quality health products.
