Effects of oral administration of a food supplement constituted by α-lipoic acid, magnesium, vitamin B6 and vitamin D in tablets of 1,2 g administered daily to women presenting risk factors for preterm birth (PTB). The aim is to reduce the rate of short cervix at 19-21 weeks of gestational age and consequently reduce the occurrence of PTB.

The physiological course of pregnancy can be threatened by the onset of rhythmic and progressive uterine contractions, associated with a shortening and dilation of the cervix.

These modifications occur as a consequence of inflammatory processes that involve important changes in the extracellular matrix of connective tissues. For this reason, in the event of a threat of preterm birth, the appropriate tocolytic therapies should be associated with interventions able to counteract morphological changes in the uterine cervix. Women presenting high or low BMI, presence of uterine myomas, metrorrhagia during the first trimester and hypertensive disorders are at risk for PTB. Current management practices remain profoundly various, without a therapeutic tocolytic strategy, especially because most of the first-line tocolytic drugs used present important side effects [8]. It is to be assessed whether a supplementation during pregnancy with minerals, vitamins, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant agents can avoid PTB in women with risk factors.

ALA may interact synergistically with magnesium, vitamin B6 and vitamin D, limiting some of the main factors related to the risk of preterm delivery - probably via the inhibition of nuclear factor k beta (NF-kB)-signaling pathway - and reducing therefore the rate of uterine contractions.

Moreover, the administration of ALA, magnesium, vitamin B6 and vitamin D have been demonstrated to be safe in pregnancy.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate whether pregnant women presenting risk factors for PTB, treated with a combination of ALA, magnesium, vitamin 6 and vitamin D from 11-14 weeks of gestational age, until delivery, could present a reduced rate of cervical shortening measured by transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) at 11-14 weeks and 19-21 weeks of gestational age.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Nulliparous,
2. Previous History of preterm birth,
3. Age between 18 - 41 years,
4. 11-14 weeks of gestation,
5. BMI < 18 kg/m2 or ≥ 30 kg/m2,
6. Uterine myoma,
7. Hypertensive disorders either chronic or induced by the pregnancy

Exclusion Criteria:

1. PPROM,
2. Cervical dilation ≥ 1 cm

Pregnant Women

All information required for this study in a manner strictly reserved to the norms of Good Clinical Practice (Legislative Decree 211/2003), as well as those relating to personal and sensitive data, c.d. Privacy Code (Legislative Decree 196/2003).

Personal data, including sensitive data, will be associated with a code, from which it will be impossible to trace back to its identity: only the investigating doctor will be able to link the code to his name.

The Specialist Doctor who follows the profession in the study, the people in charge of monitoring the study and the Regulatory Authorities have access to personal data, in compliance with and with the Guidelines of the Guarantor for the protection of personal data (Resolution No. 52 of 24 / 07/2008 and subsequent amendments and additions). The staff in charge of the study is in any case obliged to maintain the confidentiality of such information.