Vitamin B1 in Prevention of Pregnancy Toxaemia

Abstract

This expt. was suggested by perusal of the last (1940) Annual Clinical Report of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Hong Kong, in which Gordon King reported 155 cases of avitaminosis B1 (beriberi) complicating pregnancy and labour, 117 (75%) of which had a blood pressure of 140/90 or over, including 16 cases of eclampsia. In the autumn of 1941 an investigation was started in which vit. B1 was given to 100 [female][female] who were not more than 20 wks. pregnant, and continued till term. Alternate cases were taken as controls. To the treated [female][female], 1 tablet containing 3 mg. of vit. B1 (aneurin hydrochloride) was given daily. As each mg. represented 320 I.U. of B1 the total daily dose given to each patient was 960 I.U. In assessing the incidence of toxemia in the 2 groups 2 different standards of toxemia are taken: (1) a blood pressure of 130/70 (standard I); (2) a blood pressure of 140/90 or over, or any blood pressure of over 130/70 if accompanied by albuminuria (standard II). Of treated cases there were 32 (36.3%) who . had a blood pressure exceeding 130/70, excluding patients with chronic hypertension. Of the control cases, 20 (24.6%) had a blood pressure of 130/70. Of treated cases there were 7 (7.9%) who had a blood pressure of 140/90 or over, or a blood pressure of over 130/70 with albuminuria. Of the controls there were 4 (4.9%) who were toxemic according to this standard. The conclusion to be drawn from this expt. is that, so far as the prevention of toxemia of pregnancy is concerned, no beneficial effect is obtained by supplementing the diet with vit. B1.