Calcium supplementation (other than for preventing or treating hypertension) for improving pregnancy and infant outcomes

Abstract

Calcium supplementation is associated with a significant protective benefit in the prevention of pre-eclampsia, and should be used for this indication according to a previous review. This review indicates that there are no additional benefits for calcium supplementation in prevention of preterm birth or low infant birth weight. While there was a statistically significant difference of 80 g identified in mean infant birth weight, there was significant heterogeneity identified, and the clinical significance of this difference is uncertain.

Calcium Deficiency among Pregnant Women and their Newborns in Sidi Bel Abbes Region, Algeria

“…It is recommended that women increase their calcium intake during pregnancy and lactation, although the recommended dosage varies among professionals [1].…”

Concordance of effects of medical interventions on hospital admission and readmission rates with effects on mortality

“…CMAJ, December 10, 2013, 185(18) Antenatal corticosteroids to accelerate fetal lung maturation for women at risk of preterm birth Admission Maternal-fetal Peña-Rosas et al 58 Iron supplementation in pregnancy Admission Maternal-fetal Buppasiri et al 59 Calcium supplementation (other than to prevent or treat hypertension) in pregnancy Admission Maternal-fetal Hood et al 60 Digitalis for congestive heart failure in patients in sinus rhythm Admission Cardiovascular…”

“…Stewart et al 37 Abba et al 20 Okebe et al 31 comparison C Duley et al 48 Kabra et al 27 Humphreys et al 33 comparison A Komossa et al 42 Dodd et al 53 Halliday et al 35 Crowther et al 54 Duley et al 47 Abalos et al 51 comparison A Rumbold et al 56 Cates et al 12 Okebe et al 31 comparison B Buppasiri et al 59 Ducharme et al 11 Martí-Carvajal et al 62 Graves et al 30 Nannini et al 13 Lucero et al 28 Walters et al 21 Peña-Rosas et al 58 Spencer et al 15 Abalos et al 51 comparison B Thomas et al 29 Nannini et al 14 Karner et al 19 Welsh et al 18 King et al 49 Al revic et al 52 Okebe et al 31 comparison D Grimwade et al 24 Rumbold et al 55 Walters et al 9 Halliday et al 36 Soares-Weiser et al 23 Makrides et al 50 Hofmeyr et al 46 Cates et al 16 Cates et al 17 Poole et al 8 Grimwade et al 25 Barr et al 10 Imdad et al 45 Okebe et al …”

How to assess and manage hypertension during and after pregnancy

“…Clinicians should reassure women with hypertension that it is safe to continue working and to begin or continue a moderate course of exercise during pregnancy [ high risk of pre-eclampsia, as well as reducing serious maternal morbidity and mortality (with no effect on preterm delivery rates or low infant birth weight) [35]. However, supplementation has not been shown to reduce hypertension/ pre-eclampsia incidence rates in women with a normal calcium intake and, therefore, this strategy has not yet been adopted at a population level.…”