Effectiveness of Vitamin E Supplementation in Preventing Pre-Eclampsia Among High-Risk Pregnant Women: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Naila Shoukat; Khansa Iqbal; Humera Noreen; Maliha Sadaf; Sabeen Ashraf; Saliha Afzal

doi:10.37185/

Authors

Naila Shoukat Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Khansa Iqbal Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Humera Noreen Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Maliha Sadaf Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Sabeen Ashraf Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Saliha Afzal Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37185/

Keywords:

Antioxidants, Body Mass Index, Dietary Supplements, Gestational Age, Pre-Eclampsia, Pregnancy, Vitamin E

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Vitamin E supplementation in preventing preeclampsia among high-risk pregnant women.
Study Design: Quasi-experimental study.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from 1^st March 2025 to 30^th June 2025.
Methods: A total of 320 pregnant women between 12 and 16 weeks of gestation, identified as high risk for preeclampsia, were enrolled through non-probability consecutive sampling. Participants were divided equally into two groups: one received Vitamin E supplementation (tocopheryl acetate), and the other received a placebo; both groups continued until delivery. Blood pressure and proteinuria were monitored throughout pregnancy. The primary outcome was the incidence of preeclampsia, diagnosed as new-onset hypertension and significant proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, with a Chi-Square test applied to assess associations between variables and preeclampsia incidence.
Results: The mean maternal age was 33.28 ± 6.35 years. Preeclampsia developed in 65 women (20.3%) overall. Vitamin E supplementation significantly reduced the incidence of preeclampsia (12.5% vs. 28.1% within respective groups; 6.3% vs. 14.1% of the total sample), with the logistic regression model confirming it as a significant predictor (P = .001). The analysis revealed a negative coefficient (B = -1.008) and an odds ratio of 0.365, indicating that the intervention group was 63.5% less likely to develop the condition.
Conclusion: Vitamin E supplementation in early pregnancy may reduce the risk of preeclampsia among high-risk women, offering a potential preventive strategy in resource-limited healthcare settings.

How to cite this: Shoukat N, Iqbal K, Noreen H, Sadaf M, Ashraf S, Afzal S. Effectiveness of Vitamin E Supplementation in Preventing Pre-
Eclampsia Among High-Risk Pregnant Women: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Life and Science. 2026; 7(2): 210-217. doi:
http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.1007