According to US News Health, a study is suggesting that a supplement may protect against preeclampsia. While the new study suggests that a dietary supplement will lower the risk of pregnant women developing preeclampsia, it is still not certain whether it actually works. Specialists are warning high-risk pregnant women to hold off from trying the method in hopes of preventing preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that can boost blood pressure to abnormally high levels. The condition can be fatal to both mother and fetus, and affects about 5 percent of first pregnancies.

Pregnant women died from uncontrolled hypertension caused by preeclampsia through stroke or multi-organ failure, warns Dr. David Williams, an obstetrician at University College London Hospitals.

Comprehensive prenatal care and modern medical practice lowers fatalities from preeclampsia, but it accounts for 20 percent of maternal mortality in many developing countries.

The study conducted by researchers in Mexico assigned high-risk pregnant women to one of three groups, 228 ate food bars containing L-arginine and antioxidant vitamins, 222 ate bars with vitamins only and 222 ate bars that did not contain the amino acid or vitamins.

Only 13 percent of women who are the bars with L-arginine amino acid and antioxidants developed preeclampsia and were also less likely to give birth prematurely. Doctors are warning that more research needs to be done relating to L-arginine and possible harmful effects it may have on pregnancies. You may need to consult with a birth injury attorney if you have suffered from untreated preeclampsia during your pregnancy.

According to Reuters, high doses of vitamins C and E may not lower a woman’s risk of developing a pregnancy complication from high blood pressure. A new analysis of previous studies have found no evidence of benefit to women taking 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C and 400 IU of vitamin E to prevent deadly pregnancy complication known as preeclampsia. Researchers examined nine studies involving nearly 20,000 women and found that women given extra doses of vitamins C and E had a higher risk of other pregnancy complications.

Most doctors suggest that pregnant women should not take these high doses of vitamins to lower their risk of preeclampsia. A study author Dr. Sonia S. Hassan agrees with these medical suggestions, saying that systematic analysts routinely does not recommend the use of vitamin C and E.

Another study published a year ago found that 5,000 women taking high doses of vitamin C and E were 10 percent more likely to develop high blood pressure than women taking placebo pills. Symptoms of preeclampsia are high blood pressure, protein in the urine and swelling. Preeclampsia, if left untreated, can lead to severe and sometimes fatal complications for the woman and baby. You may need to consult with a birth injury attorney if you have suffered from untreated preeclampsia during your pregnancy.