Tier 2 — strong

Antenatal N-acetylcysteine supplementation in pregnant women with impending preterm birth: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled trial

Alice Küster, Arnaud Legrand, Marie-Anne Vibet, Phuong-Chi Nguyen, Norbert Winer, Margot Barribaud, Mathilde Gourdel, Marion Boivin, Morgane Vincke, Laurent Flet, Dominique Darmaun, Marie-Cecile Alexandre-Gouabau
Pediatr Res 2026 Online ahead of print

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 42177307
DOI
10.1038/s41390-026-05083-4
Funding
Funding disclosure was not located in the indexed record reviewed; consult the source publication for the full funding statement.
Competing interests
Competing-interest disclosure was not located in the indexed record reviewed; consult the source publication for the full declaration.

Study snapshot

DesignProspective randomized single-blind placebo-controlled pilot trial
ModelHuman
Sample39 pregnant women: 20 NAC and 19 placebo
InterventionHigh-dose oral NAC, with IV loading in severe-risk participants, versus placebo
DurationFrom enrollment until 37 weeks or delivery
EndpointsCord erythrocyte glutathione; Pregnancy duration; Neonatal morbidity; Safety

What the study showed, in plain terms

2026 pilot RCT evaluating antenatal NAC in pregnancies at risk for preterm delivery.

Key findings

NAC did not improve the primary glutathione endpoint but was reported as safe and showed exploratory signals for longer pregnancy and fewer neonatal complications.

What this study can and cannot tell us

Very small pilot, mixed risk strata and exploratory secondary outcomes; not evidence for routine NAC self-supplementation in pregnancy.

Editorial review

Reviewed by the Biohack Blueprint research team

Last verified

Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction Dr. Amr Yasser, PhDCardiometabolic, Musculoskeletal, Gut & Bioavailability Dr. Abdulla Mostafa, PhDCellular Senescence, Neurological, Mitochondrial & Brain-Ageing Biology