Study Vitamin B3 in pregnancy can prevent miscarriage

Scientists find an important cause of miscarriage and birth defects
Researchers have now found that vitamin B3 can prevent miscarriage and birth defects. The experts achieved, so to speak, a double medical breakthrough, finding one of the causes of miscarriage and birth defects while developing a preventative solution.

The researchers from the Victor Chang Institute in Sydney found in their study that vitamin B3 can prevent birth defects and miscarriages in pregnant women. The doctors published a press release on the results of their investigation.

Lack of vitamin B3 in pregnancy can lead to miscarriage and birth defects in newborns. Ingestion of the vitamin could prevent the problems that occur. (Image: WavebreakMediaMicro / fotolia.com)

Nearly 8 million newborn babies suffer birth defects every year
Every year, about 7.9 million babies born with birth defects are born worldwide. Physicians have now tried to find out in an investigation whether vitamin B3 can prevent such health problems.

Mutations in two genes lead to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide deficiency
In their study, the researchers analyzed the DNA of four families in which the mothers had suffered several miscarriages or babies born with various birth defects, such as heart, kidneys and vertebrae. They found that mutations in two genes could lead to a lack of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). This molecule enables the cells to generate energy and to develop the organs normally, the scientists explain.

Increasing the value of NAD can prevent miscarriages and birth defects
The discovered mutations were replicated in mice for more detailed study of the effects. The physicians found out that the problems could be corrected if niacin (vitamin B3) is taken during pregnancy. It is thus possible to increase the so-called NAD value and thus circumvent the genetic problem in order to completely prevent miscarriages and birth defects.

Vitamin B3 can be taken for prevention
Finding a cause and at the same time prevention in a study is extremely rare, say the scientists. Prevention is also very easy if the intake of vitamin B3 prevents problems occurring.

Side effects of high doses of vitamin B3 in pregnancy?
The doses of Vitamin B3 used in the study were 10 times higher than the currently recommended daily doses to supplement women's diets. The side effects of these high dosages are not yet known. Pregnancy complications are often caused by complex interactions of a number of factors, the experts warn. However, the researchers from the Victor Chang Institute said that women can safely take a special multi-vitamin during their pregnancy containing the recommended amount of 18 milligrams of niacin.

Further research is needed
Since there are differences in how humans absorb nutrients and, for example, the so-called body mass index (BMI) and diabetes influence the quantities in which a woman produces nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, further research is now required, according to the researchers. Also, it remains unclear which women do not produce enough NAD. Subsequent studies have to deal with this topic, so the conclusion of the Wissenschatler. (As)