Effect of folic acid supplementation during pregnancy on gestational hypertension/preeclampsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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#dietary-supplements #female #folic-acid #humans #hypertension-pregnancy-induced

Effect of folic acid supplementation during pregnancy on gestational hypertension/preeclampsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Hua et al., 2016 | Hypertens Pregnancy | Meta Analysis

Citation

Hua Xiaolin, Zhang Jiewen, ... Wen Shi Wu. Effect of folic acid supplementation during pregnancy on gestational hypertension/preeclampsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Hypertens Pregnancy. 2016-Nov;35(4):447-460

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of folic acid supplementation during pregnancy on the risk of gestational hypertension/preeclampsia. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. Medline, Embase, Scopus, and the Web of Science were searched from inception to December 2014. RESULTS: Out of 1224 potentially relevant studies, 13 studies met our inclusion criteria (2 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 10 cohort studies, and 1 case-control study). The pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the two RCTs were 0.62 (0.45-0.87) in the trial arm as compared with the placebo arm. The pooled RR was 0.92 (95% CI: 0.79-1.08) for nine cohort studies with available data on folic acid supplementation in pregnancy and gestational hypertension/preeclampsia. Pooled RR was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.76-1.02) for eight cohort studies with available data on folic acid supplementation and preeclampsia. CONCLUSION: Whether folic acid supplementation in pregnancy can prevent the occurrence of gestational hypertension/preeclampsia remains uncertain.

Key Findings

Out of 1224 potentially relevant studies, 13 studies met our inclusion criteria (2 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 10 cohort studies, and 1 case-control study). The pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the two RCTs were 0.62 (0.45-0.87) in the trial arm as compared with the placebo arm. The pooled RR was 0.92 (95% CI: 0.79-1.08) for nine cohort studies with available data on folic acid supplementation in pregnancy and gestational hypertension/preeclampsia. Pooled RR

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 13
Age Range See abstract
Condition hypertension

MeSH Terms

  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Folic Acid
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced
  • Pregnancy
  • Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: folate

Provenance

  • PMID: 27315401
  • DOI: (not available)
  • PMCID: Not in PMC
  • Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09