Pregnancy-induced hypertension and low birth weight: the role of calcium

Article Abstract:

This article reviews the results of three separate studies performed to determine if calcium supplements reduce blood pressure in pregnant women and reduce the rate of premature birth. The first study was performed in Guatemala and it included healthy, pregnant women. Starting at week 26 of pregnancy, the women were treated with either 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day, 2,000 milligrams of calcium per day, or a placebo (a pill with no calcium). Treatment with 2,000 milligrams of calcium was associated with a significant reduction in blood pressure. In the second study, 52 pregnant women were treated with either 1,500 milligrams of calcium per day or a placebo starting at week 26 of pregnancy. In this study, the women who were not treated with calcium experienced a greater increase in blood pressure during the third trimester of pregnancy than the women who received the calcium supplements. In the third study, adolescent patients considered to be at high risk for preeclampsia (a complication of pregnancy involving high blood pressure) and preterm delivery were treated with either 2,000 milligrams of calcium per day or a placebo starting at week 20 of pregnancy. Those who were treated with calcium had lower blood pressure, and those who received the placebo had a higher incidence of preterm delivery. In agreement with these findings, several other studies have reported that calcium supplements may reduce the incidence of preeclampsia. It is concluded that more studies are needed to verify these findings and to conclusively show that calcium lowers blood pressure in pregnancy. In the meantime, it is recommended that pregnant women should consume at least the Recommended Dietary Allowance for calcium in their diet. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Food and nutrition, Calcium in the body, Diet therapy, Hypertension in pregnancy, Gestational hypertension

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Calcium supplementation during pregnancy may reduce preterm delivery in high-risk populations

Article Abstract:

Premature delivery and low birth weight are significant causes of infant illness and death in populations of widely varying socioeconomic status. Possibly, prevention of excessive uterine muscle contractility may decrease premature delivery. Previous studies have suggested that calcium supplementation decreases blood pressure in pregnant women, possibly by relaxing smooth muscle. Additionally, hypertension and uterine contractility during pregnancy may be associated. The effects of calcium supplementation or of placebo treatment were evaluated in 190 women whose average age was 16 years. Women given calcium had significantly fewer preterm deliveries and babies with low birth weight. All preterm deliveries in the treated group were accounted for by medical complications, including hypertension, while 6 of the 20 preterm deliveries in the untreated group had no known cause. Labor was significantly longer in the calcium-treated group, by about three hours. Hypertension tended to be more frequent in the untreated group, but this was not significant. When only patients with vaginal deliveries were evaluated, the same trends for fewer preterm deliveries and low-birth-weight infants in the calcium-treated group remained. The study suggests that calcium supplementation decreases the frequency of premature deliveries and low-birth-weight infants. Further research is needed to evaluate the mechanisms underlying these findings. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Birth weight, Low, Low birth weight

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World Health Organization randomized trial of calcium supplementation among low calcium intake pregnant women

Article Abstract:

A study is conducted to determine whether calcium supplementation of pregnant women with low calcium intake reduces preeclampsia and preterm delivery. The result shows that 1.5-g calcium per day supplement did not prevent preeclampsia but did reduce its severity, maternal morbidity, and neonatal mortality.

United States, Science & research, Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing, All Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical preparations, Industrial inorganic chemicals, not elsewhere classified, Calcium, Calcium Supplements, Research, Dosage and administration, World Health Organization, Premature labour

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