Study shows probiotics may increase risk of preeclampsia
The pregnancy complication impacts 15,000 women a year in Australia
Preeclampsia is a potentially life-threatening condition that only occurs in pregnancy and impacts around 15,000 women in Australia every year, and until recently there was no understanding of the potential causes.
In a world-first, Australian research by the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Foundation has linked the popular health supplement – probioitics – to the potentially dangerous pregnancy complication.
RBWH researchers are urging women to seek medical advice before taking probiotic tablets and powder while pregnant, following the study that has linked oral probiotics to an increased risk of preeclampsia.
Probiotics are live bacteria that improve gut health and overall wellbeing. In large quantities, these ‘good’ bacteria can aid in food digestion, immunity, and inflammation. Professor Callaway stressed there was no suggestion low-dose probiotics found in yoghurts, kombucha or kimchi products were a risk.
“Preeclampsia impacts every part of the body, which means it also affects the placenta and can sometimes result in babies being born small and also preterm,” said Professor Leonie Callaway, RBWH Women’s and Newborn Services Director of Research.
“Babies born prematurely have a risk of a range of complications throughout their adult lives.”
Professor Callaway stressed there was no suggestion low-dose probiotics found in yoghurts, kombucha or kimchi products were a risk.
Brisbane first-time mother, Mellissa Ikitoelagi, didn’t take probiotics but knows the trauma of having preeclampsia.
In May 2021, Mellissa developed preeclampsia and had an emergency caesarean to deliver daughter Aurelia, almost three months early, at 29 weeks and 3 days.
Aurelia spent her first 76 days in the RBWH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and at one stage was taken to Mater Hospital with a suspected complication of her bowel.
“I do have a history of hyper-tension but in my case, there was no explanation for why I developed preeclampsia,” explained Mellissa.
Despite a difficult start to life, Aurelia recently celebrated her first birthday and in lieu of gifts, family and friends made donations to RBWH, which exceeded $2200.
RBWH are urging women to avoid probiotic tablets and powders.
The signs and symptoms of preeclampsia include high blood pressure, excess protein in urine, kidney failure, severe headaches, blurry vision, severe stomachache, fits and shortness of breath.
Professor Callaway said the probiotic study’s findings initially took her team by surprise as it long been thought that probiotics were beneficial during pregnancy.
“The huge advantage of our research was that it was funded by the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Foundation. Independently funded research is very important in pregnancy research because we have no commercial interests, and also, because pregnancy research is of little interest to ‘for profit’ companies,” says Professor Callaway.
“RBWH is a hospital for all Queenslanders and leads the state in research excellence and care for premature babies, cancer, trauma, infectious diseases and mental health,” said RBWH Foundation CEO Simone Garske.
“Our clinician researchers are passionate and driven but need the support of the public to ensure they can continue to break new ground in the prevention and treatment of disease and trauma which impacts so many.”
“It goes to show that natural things we assume to be safe need to be carefully examined for pregnant woman.
“Pregnancy is a very special case that requires extra caution.”
