Oral supplementation of α-lipoic acid (ALA), magnesium, vitamin B6 and vitamin D stabilizes cervical changes in women presenting risk factors for preterm birth.

OBJECTIVE: Recently, the PTB risk has been related to the objective measurement of cervical length (CL), since a CL of less than 25 mm is an accurate predictor of increased risk of PTB. Primary prevention of preterm labor is based on the early identification of symptoms and on pharmacological treatments with tocolytic drugs for inhibition of uterine contractions that are associated with a shortening of the cervix. Unfortunately, most of these drugs have important side effects.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study aimed to evaluate whether the administration of a combination of oral α-lipoic acid (ALA), magnesium, vitamin B6 and vitamin D to pregnant women presenting risk factors for PTB could reduce the rate of cervical shortening at 19-22 weeks of gestational age.

RESULTS: A total of 122 women attending the first-trimester aneuploidy screening at 11-14 weeks of pregnancy and presenting risk factors for PTB were included in the study. Cervical length significantly decreased in the control group compared with the treatment group (-3.86 ± 1.97 vs. 1.50 ± 1.26; p=0.02). Although the rate of preterm birth did not significantly decrease (9.5% vs. 5.1%), admission for threatened PTB was statistically reduced in the treatment group compared with the control group (3.4% vs. 14.3%).

CONCLUSIONS: Oral supplementation of ALA, magnesium, vitamin B6 and vitamin D significantly counteracted cervix shortening in pregnant women presenting risk factors for PTB.