Daily intake of 100 mg ascorbic acid as urinary tract infection prophylactic agent during pregnancy

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2007;86(7):783-7. doi: 10.1080/00016340701273189.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the role a daily intake of 100 mg of ascorbic acid plays in urinary infection prophylaxis during pregnancy.

Methods and materials: A single-blind clinical trial was carried out on pregnant women randomly assigned to the following treatment groups - Group A: oral treatment with ferrous sulphate (200 mg per day), folic acid (5 mg per day) and ascorbic acid (100 mg per day) for 3 months, and Group B: oral treatment with ferrous sulphate (200 mg per day) and folic acid (5 mg per day) for 3 months. All patients were clinically evaluated, and a urine culture was carried out each month for a period of 3 months. The chi(2) and odds ratio were used to compare effects with and without ascorbic acid, and statistical significance was considered at p<0.05.

Results: Global frequency of urinary infections was 25%. The presence of urinary infections in Group A (12.7%) was significantly lower than in Group B (29.1%), (p=0.03, OR =0.35, CI 95% =0.13-0.91).

Conclusions: Daily intake of 100 mg of ascorbic acid played an important role in the reduction of urinary infections, improving the health level of the gestating women. We recommend additional vitamin C intake for pregnant women in populations which have a high incidence of bacteriuria and urinary infections.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Ascorbic Acid / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / prevention & control*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / urine
  • Single-Blind Method
  • Urinary Tract Infections / prevention & control*
  • Urinary Tract Infections / urine
  • Urine / microbiology
  • Vitamins / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Vitamins
  • Ascorbic Acid