Dr. Manwani Saloni Dilip
Obstetrics and Gynecology
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I am 18 weeks pregnant and took a vitamin B complex supplement, which is not advisable for pregnant women. I took it from the 11th week till the 17th week. I realized this is not for pregnant women, and I am extremely worried due to its high-risk potency. I do not have any complaints now. However, I am worried about the supplements taken. I took a multivitamin tablet that consists of Thiamin 100 mg, vitamin B6 100 mg, Pantothenic acid 100 mg, Niacin 100 mg, Riboflavin 100 mg, Inositol 100 mg, Choline 20 mg, Folic acid 400 ugs, vitamin B12 100 ug, D-Biotin 100 ug, from the 11th to the 16th week. Now I am in week 18. May I ask whether my baby has any chance of getting birth defects or problems due to this?
Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand you are concerned about the effect of the multivitamin you have taken. The contents of tablets you mentioned are safe to consume in pregnancy, and there are no documented side effects that occur in the fetus due to the consumption of these vitamins. It would, however, be safer to consume supplements that are safe for consumption during pregnancy. Also, I suggest you get the level 3 anomaly scan done at 18 to 20 weeks to confirm fetal anatomical growth.
I hope this has helped you out.
Take care.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
I understand that the vitamins I have taken are not dangerous. May I ask if this is the case even though I have taken them with that high-potency dose? Also, I forgot to mention that I have taken vitamin A containing 2000 ug per day for one week at the gestational age of the 16th week. I stopped taking both vitamin supplements now as I have gotten concerned. May I ask whether this vitamin causes any side effects while consumed for a short period with this dosage?
Also, I have read that vitamin B12 in high doses may increase the risk of autism. Is this true? Would you recommend speaking to a fetal medicine consultant about these issues?
Please give your suggestions.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Vitamin A supplement is considered high-risk during pregnancy and causes congenital disabilities. But the dose and duration you consume have a substantially lower risk. But the risk regarding the effect of vitamin A cannot be completely ruled out. Regarding vitamin B12 and autism, most research has shown that consuming excessively high levels of vitamin B12, more than 20 mg, in women with higher than baseline levels of vitamin B12 can result in fetal autism.
The dose you have taken is safe, and if there were any excess, it would have been washed away. However, I am not aware of your baseline B12 levels. If there were even a slight deficiency (as it exists in most women worldwide), then the vitamin B12 supplement would not have done any harm. It would be safer to consult a fetal medicine specialist to get additional scans which would help determine if there is any effect on the fetus.
I hope this has helped you out.
Take care.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
Can you suggest me a fetomaternal consultant?
Thank you.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I suggest you visit a feto-maternal doctor in person who could follow with you throughout your pregnancy.
I hope this has helped you out.
Take care.
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Obstetrics and Gynecology
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