The findings of a recent randomized controlled trial found that supplementation of synbiotics in pregnant women with mild pre-eclampsia (PE) was found to be safe and had significant positive effects on pregnancy outcomes, such as high blood pressure (BP) along with improved proteinuria and serum creatinine levels.

The study by Rouhina Movaghar et al. compared the effect of synbiotics and placebo on primary outcomes including blood pressure and pregnancy duration, alongside other pregnancy-related factors.

One hundred and twenty-eight pregnant women with mild PE and a gestational age of more than 24 weeks were included in this randomized, controlled, triple-blinded clinical study. These women were randomized to the intervention group (given one synbiotic capsule orally until labour) and the control or placebo group (given a placebo daily until labour). Preeclampsia was stratified into early (less than 34 weeks) or late (more than equal to 34 weeks) based on gestational age at diagnosis. The data gathered from different questionnaires and serum biochemical parameters were examined using SPSS software version 23.

Other than the history of vitamin D3 intake, there were no statistically significant differences in socio-demographic variables among the study groups. Compared to the placebo group, the women in the synbiotic group demonstrated considerably lower mean systolic blood pressure (BP) (adjusted mean difference, AMD: -13.54) and diastolic BP (AMD: -10.30). No significant associations were observed for outcomes other than noteworthy decreases in the rate of severe preeclampsia (p < 0.001), proteinuria (p = 0.044), and mean serum creatinine level (p = 0.005).

To ascertain the benefits of synbiotic supplementation for high-risk pregnancies, there is a need for further studies with larger samples, especially concerning higher doses and longer therapy durations, concluded Rouhina Movaghar.