Ginger vs Vitamin B6 for Treating Nausea and Vomiting during Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Up to 85% of pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting (NV), which has a number of negative repercussions for the pregnancy's prognosis. The real cause of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP) remains unknown. Ginger is being used to treat NVP, despite the possibility of pharmaceutical drugs being teratogenic to the fetus. Ginger has been shown in certain trials to mitigate the intensity of NV when compared to vitamin B6, while the results are inconsistent. As a result, the purpose of this meta-analysis is to compare ginger with vitamin B6 for treating nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Methods: Through November 2021, studies were obtained by doing a systematic search of the electronic databases PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS, and gray literature. Meta-analysis was carried out using Review Manager (Version 5.3) software. In addition, leave-one-out analysis was used to investigate the source of heterogeneity, and Funnel plots were used to examine publication bias; significance level was set at p ≤0.05. Results: This meta-analysis comprised seven trials with a total of 819 participants. The results established that ginger has no discernible influence on the intensity of nausea scores (SMD −0.15, 95% CI −0.35, 0.05; I 2 50.0%; p = 0.14), decreasing vomiting scores (SMD 0.05, 95% CI: −0.11, 0.21; I 2 0%; p = 0.57) compared with vitamin B6. But, when compared to ginger, vitamin B6 intervention had a substantial influence on improving total NVP results [SMD 0.36, 95% CI (0.06, 0.65), I 2 17%, p = 0.02]. Conclusions: Women who are experiencing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy can utilize ginger to alleviate their symptoms to the same amount as vitamin B6. Additionally, thorough RCTs with more number of participants are necessary to validate the effect of ginger supplement against vitamin B6 supplement for NVP therapy.

The Effects of Botulinum Toxin and Casting in Spastic Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The I2 statistic was used to quantitatively measure heterogeneity. We considered I2 > 50% to be indicative of significant trial heterogeneity [21]. Where the studies were sufficiently heterogeneous, a random-effects model was employed to pool the data; otherwise, a fixed-effects model was used.…”

Ginger Update

“…In some severe cases, it may lead to fluid and electrolyte imbalance and nutritional deficiencies. Collectively, the evidence from meta-analyses and reviews 10,12,13,[35][36][37][38] generally provides support that, compared with placebo, ginger was most often associated with a statistically significant decrease in nausea incidence and severity but not in vomiting. Many trials were not deemed of high quality, and a clear dose-response relationship was not apparent.…”

“…In addition, the numbers and qualities of RCTs selected by each meta-analysis also varied. Table 35–64 provides an overview and perspective on some of these differences in methodologies among those trials assessed in meta-analyses.…”

“…Ginger may be a safe and acceptable nonpharmaceutical remedy for NV according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 66 when consumed in modest amounts in foods and beverages 67 . It was emphasized that pregnant women should seek sound guidance from informed health professionals rather than anecdotal or peer advice in choosing ginger intervention 35,36,65 . Only limited clinical evidence is available on the efficacy and safety of ginger for use during lactation 68…”

“…67 It was emphasized that pregnant women should seek sound guidance from informed health professionals rather than anecdotal or peer advice in choosing ginger intervention. 35,36,65 Only limited clinical evidence is available on the efficacy and safety of ginger for use during lactation. 68 Chemotherapy-induced NV (CINV) is one of the most distressing effects of cytotoxic cancer chemotherapy.…”