08.27.09
Indication: Miscarriage risk
Source: Am J Epidemiol, June 2009;169(11):1312-8.
Research: In this study, the researchers' goal was to evaluate the relationship between self-reported use of prenatal vitamins in early pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage. Between 2000 and 2008, 4752 U.S. women were prospectively enrolled in "Right From the Start." Information about vitamin use was obtained from a first-trimester interview. Discrete-time hazard models were used, candidate confounders were assessed, and the following variables were included in the model: study site, maternal age, gravidity, marital status, education, race/ethnicity, smoking and use of progesterone in early pregnancy. Nut
Results: Approximately 95% of participants reported use of vitamins during early pregnancy. A total of 524 women had a miscarriage. In the final adjusted model, any use of vitamins during pregnancy was associated with decreased odds of miscarriage in comparison with no exposure. In fact, the risk was 57% lower for those taking vitamins. However, researchers also believe these benefits could be the result of healthy behaviors and practices that are also associated with vitamin supplement use during pregnancy. Therefore, they urge further investigation into how these behaviors might also impact miscarriage risk.
