Vitamin B3 does not predict miscarriage risk in women

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-05-04 11:00

Australia; WA; ACT

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Women's vitamin B3 levels do not seem to predict their risk of miscarriage, according to a pilot Australian study. Highly publicised animal studies had previously suggested that vitamin B3 may play a role in preventing miscarriage, but human trials have been lacking until now. The study of 24 women found that niacin (vitamin B3) intake and urinary niacin levels did not predict miscarriage. The study did show a trend towards women who miscarried having lower levels of niacin (vitamin B3) compared to those who did not, although vitamin B3 intake was higher than the recommended daily pregnancy intakes in both groups. The authors say this suggests there may be a threshold niacin level protective in miscarriage prevention warranting further investigation, and a larger study could confirm whether vitamin B3 plays a role in early pregnancy outcome.