ascorbic-acid and Vaginosis--Bacterial

The aim of this review was to evaluate recently published review articles which examine the use of nutritional supplements to prevent preterm birth (PTB) by modifying vaginal bacteria.. Probiotics, vitamin D and vitamin C were all identified as nutritional supplements that have the potential to alter bacterial flora and consequently reduce PTB and treat or prevent genital infections. Evidence shows that probiotics may reduce the incidence of PTB as well as being effective at treating bacterial vaginosis, a known cause for PTB. Low vitamin D levels may be associated with bacterial vaginosis, although no evidence was identified which demonstrated that vitamin D supplementation reduced the risk of having bacterial vaginosis or PTB.There is little evidence regarding vitamin C supplementation, although it does suggest a possible benefit with regard to preterm rupture of membranes; however, this did not appear to reduce rates of PTB.. Although there is evidence that taking probiotics in pregnancy may reduce the incidence of PTB, it is mainly derived from small, poor quality studies. Vitamin D and vitamin C may have potential benefits, but these remain to be proven. Large randomized controlled trials are needed to more accurately evaluate the potential benefits of these low-cost interventions for reducing PTB and its consequences.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Dietary Supplements; Evidence-Based Medicine; Female; Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture; Humans; Obstetric Labor, Premature; Pregnancy; Prenatal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Probiotics; Risk; Vagina; Vaginosis, Bacterial; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency

A randomised, double blind, parallel groups, placebo controlled clinical trial was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety profile of 250 mg ascorbic acid (Vit. C, Vagi C) in women with bacterial vaginosis (BV). Overall, 277 out-patients with at least three of the following signs (white discharge that smoothly coats the vaginal walls, pH of vaginal fluid > 4.5, a fishy odour of vaginal discharge before or after addition of 10% KOH and presence of clue cells on microscopic examination) were randomised to apply a tablet deeply into the vagina once daily for 6 days. The primary efficacy endpoint was the cure rate, defined as the recovery of all inclusion criteria. In the intent-to-treat (ITT) population, cure was achieved by 55.3% of patients with Vit. C (n=141) and by 25.7% of patients with placebo (n=136). The between-group difference was 29.6% (p < 0.001). In the per-protocol (PP) population, cure rate was 66.4% with Vit. C (n=116) and 27.1% with placebo (n = 118), respectively. Between-group difference was 39.3% (p < 0.001). In a subset of patients with centralised evaluation of the vaginal swab, cure in ITT was achieved by 86.3% of patients with Vit. C (n=51) and by 7.6% of patients with placebo (n=53), the between-group difference was 78.7% (p < 0.0001). Cure rate in PP was 86.0% with Vit. C (n=50) and 6.1% with placebo (n=49), between-group difference was 79.9% (p < 0.0001). Both Vit. C and placebo were well tolerated and no differences in safety profile were evident between groups. The results support an effective and safe use of silicon-coated Vit. C vaginal tablets in the management of BV.

Topics: Administration, Intravaginal; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Silicones; Socioeconomic Factors; Tablets; Treatment Outcome; Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies; Vaginosis, Bacterial; Young Adult

This study was conducted as part of a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial, the aim of which was to determine whether vitamin C could reduce the recurrence risk of pre-term labour. In this study, women with a history of pre-term labour in a preceding pregnancy were randomised to receive either 250 mg vitamin C or a matching placebo twice daily until 34 weeks' gestation. They attended a dedicated pre-term labour clinic every 2 weeks. All women were screened for bacterial vaginosis (BV) at each visit. It was first determined that vitamin C did not have any effect on the presence of BV. Women who were diagnosed with BV before 20 weeks' gestation were at higher risk of delivering pre-term than those who developed BV after 20 weeks.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Obstetric Labor, Premature; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Prenatal Diagnosis; Risk Assessment; Vaginosis, Bacterial

Topics: Administration, Intravaginal; Adolescent; Adult; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Female; Global Health; Humans; Middle Aged; Placebos; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Vaginosis, Bacterial; Young Adult

Untreated bacterial vaginosis is related with many complications for non-pregnant women in reproductive age, most common from them are vaginal discharge and postoperative infections. The aim of our investigation was to compare the effectiveness of two therapeutic regimes which consist in Macmiror/Macmiror Complex alone and in combination with Feminella Vagi C for treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and/or mycotic infection. 117 non-pregnant women with symptoms of vaginal infection were prospectively enrolled into two groups according their treatment. First group consist 66 women treated with Macmiror tablets and vaginal capsules followed with local application of Feminella Vagi C, the second group consist 54 women treated with Macmiror tablets and vaginal capsules only. The impact of treatment on clinical symptoms was observed at the end of medication and 20 days after it. Microbiological testing was repeated 20 days after treatment. Over than 80% (78.6 divided by 86.7%) of the cases with vaginal infection (BV and mycotic one) were successfully treated with Macmiror/Macmiror Complex. Supplement treatment with Feminella Vagi C lead to higher percentage of clinically recovery (86.7% vs 84.6%), better microbiological cleaning (86.7% vs 82.1%) and longer effect of treatment. Used medication showed higher efficacy against BV than to fungal infection. According obtained results we may conclude that bacterial vaginosis was better treated with multipurpose treatment (Nifuratel, Nistatin and vit. C) than with Macmiror alone.

Topics: Adult; Antifungal Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Bacteria; Candida; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Nifuratel; Prospective Studies; Vagina; Vaginosis, Bacterial; Vitamins; Young Adult

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Female; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Vagina; Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies; Vaginosis, Bacterial

Topics: Administration, Intravaginal; Ascorbic Acid; Female; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Lactobacillus; Tablets; Vagina; Vaginosis, Bacterial

Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Female; Humans; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Vaginosis, Bacterial

Using a prospective comparative design, African American gravidae with and without genital tract infection were assessed with respect to dietary intakes, serum nutrient values, hematologic values, and pregnancy outcomes. Intakes of ascorbic acid, vitamin A, protein, and iron were the dietary variables while levels of ascorbic acid, protein, albumin, globulin, and ferritin were the variables measured in serum. The hematologic variables included hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red and white blood cell counts. Pregnancy outcome was defined on the basis of premature rupture of the membranes (PROM), and infant birth weight, birth length, gestational age, and head circumference. The sample consisted of 335 nulliparous women who were between 16-35 years of age, 96 of whom had genital tract infection based on laboratory reports. Findings indicated no significant differences between the mean dietary intakes as well as serum values of the infected and non-infected women, and no difference in the incidence of PROM. However, non-infected women had a better mean hematologic profile than the infected gravidae during pregnancy. Also, for the non-infected group, there were significant relationships between head circumference and protein consumption (P = .015) and serum ferritin (P = .05). For the infected women, the relationship between the hemoglobin and hematocrit measurements obtained at the first prenatal visit and infant birth weight, birth length and head circumference were statistically significant.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Birth Weight; Black or African American; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Diet; Dietary Proteins; District of Columbia; Female; Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture; Gestational Age; Hematocrit; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Iron; Labor, Obstetric; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Pregnancy Outcome; Prospective Studies; Vaginitis; Vaginosis, Bacterial; Vitamin A