Study on Tetrahydrofolate Supplementation in Pregnant Women with High Blood Pressure Effects on Heart and Blood Vessel Health in Mothers and Babies

What this Trial Is About

High blood pressure during pregnancy, including conditions like preeclampsia, is a common global health issue that can be harmful to mothers and often leads to premature birth and small babies. This condition also increases the risk of cardiovascular problems later in life for both mothers and their children. Researchers are studying how levels of a molecule called tetrahydrobiopterin BH4, important for blood vessel health, differ in pregnant women with high blood pressure and how these changes affect heart and blood vessel function in both mothers and babies. The study involves pregnant women with high blood pressure, who will receive either a low or high dose of a tetrahydrofolate supplement 5-MTHF, which is a biologically active form of reduced folate thought to increase BH4 levels. Another group of women with high blood pressure will receive a placebo, while a comparison group of women with normal blood pressure will not receive any supplement. This treatment will continue until delivery, and samples such as blood, umbilical cord, and placenta will be collected for analysis. Participants will have assessments of heart and blood vessel function using ultrasound methods at the start of the study around 28 to 34 weeks of pregnancy and at delivery. Blood tests will measure BH4 and related biomarkers in mothers and babies. The study will also evaluate the safety and acceptability of the supplementation through questionnaires. Total participation includes monitoring during pregnancy until birth, with careful analysis of vascular and cardiac changes.

Clinical Antenatal Randomised Study to CharactErise Key Roles of TetrahydroFOLate in HyperTensive Pregnancies