Efficacy of L-arginine for preventing preeclampsia in high-risk pregnancies: A double-blind, randomized, clinical trial.

<bold>Objective: </bold>This study aimed to estimate the effectiveness of L-arginine for preventing preeclampsia in high-risk pregnancy.<bold>Methods: </bold>We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial in patients with high-risk factors for preeclampsia. Fifty subjects received L-arginine, beginning from the 20th week of gestation. An additional 50 patients received homologated placebo.<bold>Results: </bold>The placebo group had a higher number of cases of preeclampsia (11/47) compared with the L-arginine group (3/49, P = 0.01). Birth weight was higher in the L-arginine group and there was a smaller number of preterm births (P = 0.03).<bold>Conclusion: </bold>L-arginine is effective for preventing preeclampsia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]