High Dose Folic Acid Supplementation Throughout Pregnancy for Preeclampsia Prevention
High Dose Folic Acid Supplementation Throughout Pregnancy for Preeclampsia Prevention
To determine the efficacy of high dose folic acid supplementation for prevention of
 preeclampsia in women with at least one risk factor: pre-existing hypertension, pre-pregnancy
 diabetes (type 1 or 2), twin pregnancy, preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy, or body mass
 index ≥35. It was hypothesized that high dose (4.0 mg per day) supplementation starting in
 early pregnancy and continued throughout the entire pregnancy will lower the incidence of
 preeclampsia in pregnant women at high risk of developing preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy which affects at least 5% of all pregnancies
 worldwide and has serious health consequences to these women and their babies. Preeclampsia
 is hypertension (high blood pressure) in pregnancy with proteinuria. Proteinuria is when
 protein is found in the urine, and it is a sign that the kidneys are not functioning
 properly. The only effective treatment for preeclampsia is delivery of the baby. Because
 delivery may be required before the anticipated date of delivery; preeclampsia is also one of
 the leading causes of preterm delivery and accounts for 25% of very low birth weight infants.
 Recent research has also shown that women who have had preeclampsia during pregnancy are more
 likely to be at risk for future cardiovascular events later in life.

 Recently some studies have shown that supplementation with multivitamins containing folic
 acid is associated with a reduced risk of developing preeclampsia. These findings also
 suggested that for the prevention of preeclampsia, a high dose of folic acid (much higher
 than the amount of folate received from food intake or what is usually taken during
 pregnancy) may be needed.

 A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 70 obstetrical centres in 5 countries
 (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Jamaica, and the UK) to evaluate the effect of high dose folic
 acid started in early pregnancy on the risk of developing preeclampsia in high-risk women. A
 sample size of 2464 allowed for 80% power and a 10% loss to follow-up/study withdrawal.
 Participants received either placebo or four 1.0 mg oral tablets of folic acid.
Inclusion Criteria:

 1. Capability of subject to comprehend and comply with study requirements

 2. ≥ 18 years of age at time of consent

 3. Subject is taking ≤1.1 mg of folic acid daily at the time of randomization

 4. Live fetus (documented positive fetal heart prior to randomization)

 5. Gestational age between 8+0 and 16+6 weeks of pregnancy (Gestational age (GA) of
 subjects will be calculated based on the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP)
 or ultrasound performed before 12+6. If early ultrasound and LMP dates differ by ≤ 7
 days, base GA estimate on LMP date; if > 7 days, use early < 12+6 ultrasound)

 6. Subject plans to give birth in a participating hospital site

 7. Pregnant subjects must fulfill at least one of the following identified risk factors
 for pre-eclampsia (PE):

 -  Pre-existing hypertension (documented evidence of diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90
 mmHg on two separate occasions or at least 4 hours apart prior to randomization,
 or use of antihypertensive medication during this pregnancy specifically for the
 treatment of hypertension prior to randomization)

 -  Pre-pregnancy diabetes (documented evidence of Type I or type II DM)

 -  Twin pregnancy

 -  Documented evidence of history of PE in a previous pregnancy

 -  BMI > 35 kg/m2 within 3 months prior to this pregnancy and up to randomization of
 this pregnancy (documented evidence of height and weight to calculate BMI is
 required)

 Exclusion Criteria:

 1. Known history or presence of any clinically significant disease or condition which
 would be a contraindication to folic acid supplementation of up to 5 mg daily for the
 duration of pregnancy

 2. Known major fetal anomaly or fetal demise

 3. History of medical complications, including:

 -  renal disease with altered renal function,

 -  epilepsy,

 -  cancer, or

 -  use of folic acid antagonists such as valproic acid

 4. Individual who is currently enrolled or has participated in another clinical trial or
 who received an investigational drug within 3 months of the date of randomization
 (unless approved by the Trial Coordinating Centre)

 5. Known presence of:

 -  Alcohol abuse (≥ 2 drinks per day) or alcohol dependence

 -  Illicit drug/substance use and/or dependence

 6. Known hypersensitivity to folic acid

 7. Multiple Pregnancy (triplets or more)

 8. Participation in this study in a previous pregnancy