ABSTRACT

The role of antioxidants in pregnancy is promising as the authors move toward disease prevention rather than cure, and recent findings that oxidative stress may be linked to some maternal-fetal conditions in pregnancy has been encouraging. Studies have been carried out to investigate interventions in the pre- and periconceptual periods, as well as in the antenatal period, to prevent adverse pregnancy disorders related to oxidative stress, particularly preeclampsia because of its impact on both morbidity and mortality in both mother and fetus. Oxidative stress has also been implicated in fertility and miscarriage. This chapter reviews the most recent evidence available about the clinical potential of antioxidants in the prevention of some common and serious conditions in pregnancy. Antioxidant supplementation during pregnancy, therefore, would theoretically be able to reduce oxidative stress in the placenta and may be able to prevent preeclampsia.