Relationship of Vitamin C and E dietary intake and pre-eclampsia and eclampsia among women in Tehran, Iran

Objective: To evaluate relationship between consumption of Vitamin C and E rich diet during pregnancy and prevalence of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design. Data was collected through face-to-face interview using paper questionnaire from women delivering in the University Hospital of Akbar Abadi. 154 women aged 18-35 were selected through continuous sampling method, 75 cases with history of pre-eclampsia in recent delivery and 75 matched controls. Cases and controls were matched according to the gravida and vitamin supplement consumption. Results: Cases had consumed significantly less fruit and vegetable servings (p= 0.000), with lower amount of dietary vitamin C intake (p= 0.000), and concentration of plasma (p=0.03) and urine ascorbic acid (p=0.05) than control group. In addition, cases had significantly smaller servings of dietary nuts, unsaturated vegetable oil and mayonnaise compared to control group. Conclusion: A negative relationship between pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, and insufficient consumption of Vitamin C and E rich diet during pregnancy was observed.