Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2023, 167(3):213-218 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2023.035
Ascorbic acid intake during pregnancy
- 1 Department of Applied Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Masaryk University, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- 2 Department of Internal Medicine, Teaching Hospital Nitra, 949 01 Nitra, Slovak Republic
The continuing global increase in allergic conditions and diseases in children is now a serious public health and scientific issue. Amongst other concerns is the maternal antenatal diet as intake of essential nutrients. Even small deficits in essential vitamin C can permanently impair the developing brain for example. In this article, we first review ascorbic acid deficiency in different organs of both mother and foetus. However, major emphasis is on the importance of vitamin C in foetal immunity with studies showing an inverse relationship between maternal intake of fresh fruit and vegetables and allergic conditions in childhood, inter alia. Other review results are included.
Keywords: pregnancy, ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid deficiency, foetal health
Received: July 4, 2023; Revised: August 28, 2023; Accepted: August 28, 2023; Prepublished online: September 6, 2023; Published: September 21, 2023 Show citation
References
- Yussif NM. Vitamin C. Jean Guy LeBlanc. Vitamin C - an Update on Current Uses and Functions. London: Intechopen 2018. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.81783
Go to original source...
- PubChem: Ascorbic acid. [cited 2023-02-03] Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Ascorbic-Acid
- Macan AM, Kraljeviĉ TG, Raiĉ-Maliĉ S. Therapeutic Perspective of Vitamin C and Its Derivates. Antioxidants (Basel) 2019;8(8):247. doi:10.3390/antiox8080247
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- StatPearls Publishing LLC. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). 2022. [cited 2023-02-03] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499877/
- National Academies Press (US): Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids. 2000. [cited 2023-03-08] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK225480/
- Lindblad M, Tveden-Nyborg P, Lykkesfeldt J. Regulation of Vitamin C Homeostasis during Deficiency. Nutrients 2013;5(8):2860-79. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu5082860
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Ugwa EA, Iwasam EA, Nwali MI. Low Serum Vitamin C Status Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at General Hospital Dawakin Kudu, Northwest Nigeria. Int J Prev Med 2016;7:40. doi: 10.4103/2008-7802.176166
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Vitagliano T, Garieri P, Lascala L, Ferro Y, Doldo P, Pujia R, Pujia A, Montalcini T, Greco M, Mazza E. Preparing Patients for Cosmetic Surgery and Aesthetic Procedures: Ensuring an Optimal Nutritional Status for Successful Results. Nutrients 2023;15(2):352. 10.3390/nu15020352
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Otten AT, Bourgonje AR, Peters V, Alizadeh BZ, Dijkstra G, Harmsen HJM. Vitamin C Supplementation in Healthy Individuals Leads to Shifts of Bacterial Populations in the Gut. A Pilot Study. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021;10(8):1278. doi: 10.3390/antiox10081278
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Piskin E, Cianciosi D, Gulec S, Tomas M, Capanoglu E. Iron Absorption: Factors, Limitations, and Improvement Methods. ACS Omega 2022;7(24):20441-56. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.2c01833
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Carr AC, Maggini S. Vitamin C and Immune Function.Nutrients 2017;9(11):1211. doi: 10.3390/nu9111211
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Takisawa S, Takino Y, Lee J, Machida S, Ishigami, A. Vitamin C Is Essential for the Maintenance of Skeletal Muscle Functions. Biology (Basel) 2022;11(7):955. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11070955
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Kocot J, Luchowska-Kocot D, Kie³czykowska M, Musik I, Kurzepa J. Does Vitamin C Influence Neurodegenerative Diseases and Psychiatric Disorders? Nutrients 2017;9(7):659. doi: 10.3390/nu9070659
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Mercer BM, Abdelrahim A, Moore RM, Novak J, Kumar D, Mansour JM, Perez-Fournier M, Milluzzi CJ, Moore JJ. The impact of Vitamin C supplementation in pregnancy and in-vitro upon fetal membrane strength and remodeling. Reprod Sci 2010;17(7):685-95. doi: 10.1177/1933719110368870
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Thorp J, Allen I. Vitamin C Supplementation in Pregnancy - Does it Decrease Rates of Pre-term Birth: A Systematic Review. Am J Perinatol 2014;31(2):91-8. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1338171
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Juhl B, Lauszus FF, Lykkesfeldt J. Poor Vitamin C Status Late in Pregnancy Is Associated with Increased Risk of Complications in Type 1 Diabetic Women: A Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients 2017;9(3):186. doi: 10.3390/nu9030186
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Griesinger G, Franke K, Kinast C, Kutzelnigg A, Riedinger S, Kulin S, Kaali SG, Feichtinger W. Ascorbic Acid Supplement During Luteal Phase in IVF. J Assist Reprod Genet 2002;19(4):164-8. doi: 10.1023/A:1014837811353
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Kiondo P, Wamuyu-Maina G, Wandabwa J, Bimenya GS, Tumwesigye NM, Okong P. The effects of vitamin C supplementation on pre-eclampsia in Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda: a randomized placebo controlled clinical trial. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2014;14:283. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-14-283
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Rumbold A, Ota E, Nagata CH, Shahrook S, Crowther CA. Vitamin C supplementation in pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015;2015(9):CD004072. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004072.pub3
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Hemilä H. Do vitamins C and E affect respiratory infections? Academic dissertation. 2006 January, Helsinky, Finland; p 50-60.
- Chin K-Y, Ima-Nirwana S. Vitamin C and Bone Health: Evidence from Cell, Animal and Human Studies. Curr Drug Targets 2018;19(5):439-50. doi: 10.2174/1389450116666150907100838
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Tripathy SN. Nutrition and Pregnancy ECAB. New Delhi: Elsevier India; 2014. p 17.
- Giussani DA, Camm EJ, Niu Y, Richter HG, Blanco CE, Gottschalk R, Blake EZ, Horder KA, Thakor AS, Hansell JA, Kane AD, Wooding FBP, Cross ChM, Herrera EA. Developmental Programming of Cardiovascular Dysfunction by Prenatal Hypoxia and Oxidative Stress. Plos One 2012;7(2):e31017. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031017
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- McGillick EV, Orgeig S, Allison BJ, Brain KL, Niu Y, Itani N, Skeffington KL, Kane AD, Herrera EA, Morrison JL, Giussani DA. Molecular regulation of lung maturation in near-term fetal sheep by maternal daily vitamin C treatment in late gestation. Pediatr Res 2022;91:828-38. doi: 10.1038/s41390-021-01489-4
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Kominiarek MA, Nutrition Recommendations in Pregnancy and Lactation. Med Clin North Am 2016;100(6):1199-1215. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2016.06.004
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Lykkesfeldt J, Tveden-Nyborg P. The Pharmacokinetics of Vitamin C. Nutrients 2019;11(10):2412. doi:10.3390/nu11102412
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Carr AC, Bozonet SM, Pullar JM, Simcock JW, Vissers MCM. A Randomized Steady-State Bioavailability Study of Synthetic versus Natural (Kiwifruit-Derived) Vitamin C. Nutrients 2013;5(9):3684-95. doi: 10.3390/nu5093684
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Hans U, Edward B. Regular vitamin C supplementation during pregnancy reduces hospitalization: outcomes of a Ugandan rural cohort study. Pan Afr Med J 2010;5:15. doi: 10.4314/pamj.v5i1.56178
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury 2012. [cited 2023 March 9] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548448/
- World Health Organization: Scurvy and its prevention and control in major emergencies.1999. Available from: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwig7cvI8IT8AhWY8rsIHUqUB2gQFnoECAsQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.unhcr.org%2F4cbef0599.pdf&usg=AOvVaw0lzJ-J4ZszzNzoad7O-hjZ
- Jang W, Kim H, Bo-Eun Lee BE, Chang N. Maternal fruit and vegetable or vitamin C consumption during pregnancy is associated with fetal growth and infant growth up to 6 months: results from the Korean Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) cohort study. Nutr J 2018;17(1):105. doi: 10.1186/s12937-018-0410-6.
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Richter HG, Camm EJ, Modi BN, Naeem F, Cross CM, Cindrova-Davies T, Spasic-Boskovic O, Dunster C, Mudway IS, Kelly FJ, Burton GJ, L Poston L, Giussani DA. Ascorbate prevents placental oxidative stress and enhances birth weight in hypoxic pregnancy in rats. J Physiol 2012;590(6):1377-87. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.226340.
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Dayal S, Hong PL. Premature Rupture Of Membranes. 2022. [cited 2023 March 9] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532888/
- Coker SJ, Smith-Díaz CC, Dyson RM, Vissers MCM, Berry MJ. The Epigenetic Role of Vitamin C in Neurodevelopment. Int J Mol Sci 2022;23(3):1208. doi: 10.3390/ijms23031208
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Progyny: The Best Vitamins and Supplements to Boost Your Fertility. Available from: https://progyny.com/education/the-best-vitamins-and-supplements-to-boost-your-fertility/
- Tesarik J. Towards Personalized Antioxidant Use in Female Infertility: Need for More Molecular and Clinical Studies. Biomedicines 2021;9(12):1933. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines9121933
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Barton, D. Improve Your Fertility With Vitamin C. 2021 Available from: https://natural-fertility-info.com/vitamin-c-to-improve-fertility.html
- Choe J, Shanks AL, In Vitro Fertilization. [cited 2023 March 9] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562266/
- Crha I, Hrubá D, Ventruba P, Fiala J, Totusek J, Visnová H. Ascorbic acid and infertility treatment. Cent Eur J Public Health 2003;11(2):63-7.
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute: Researchers discover Vitamin C may impact fertility for generations. 2019. Available from: https://www.sinaihealth.ca/news/researchers-discover-vitamin-c-may-impact-fertility-for-generations/
- Beyer RE. The role of ascorbate in antioxidant protection of biomembranes: interaction with vitamin E and coenzyme Q. J Bioenerg Biomembr 1994;26(4):349-58. doi: 10.1007/BF00762775
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Conde-Agudelo A, Romero R, Kusanovic JP, Hassan S. Supplementation with vitamins C and E during pregnancy for the prevention preeclampsia and other adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes: a systematic review and metaanalysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2011;204(6):503.e1-503.12. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2011.02.020
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- West ChE, Dunstan J, McCarthy S, Metcalfe J, D'Vaz N, Meldrum S, Oddy WH, Tulic MK, Prescott SL. Associations between Maternal Antioxidant Intakes in Pregnancy and Infant Allergic Outcomes. Nutrients 2012;4(11):1747-58. doi: 10.3390/nu4111747
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Ang A, Pullar JM, Currie MJ, Vissers MCM. Vitamin C and immune cell function in inflammation and cancer. Biochem Soc Trans 2018;46(5):1147-59. doi: 10.1042/BST20180169
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Alesci A, Pergolizzi S, Fumia A, Miller A, Cernigliaro C, Zaccone M, Salamone V, Mastrantonio E, Gangemi S, Pioggia G, Cicero N. Immune System and Psychological State of Pregnant Women during COVID-19 Pandemic: Are Micronutrients Able to Support Pregnancy? Nutrients 2022;14(12): 2534. doi: 10.3390/nu14122534
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
- Habibzadeh N, Schorah CJ, Smithells RW. The effects of maternal folic acid and vitamin C nutrition in early pregnancy on reproductive performance in the guinea-pig. Br J Nutr 1986;55(1):23-35. doi: 10.1079/BJN19860006
Go to original source...
Go to PubMed...
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.