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

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#birth-weight #calcium-dietary #dietary-supplements #female #humans

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

Buppasiri et al., 2011 | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Meta Analysis

Citation

Buppasiri Pranom, Lumbiganon Pisake, ... Laopaiboon Malinee. Calcium supplementation (other than for preventing or treating hypertension) for improving pregnancy and infant outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011-Oct-05(10):CD007079. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007079.pub2

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Maternal nutrition during pregnancy is known to have an effect on fetal growth and development. It is recommended that women increase their calcium intake during pregnancy and lactation, although the recommended dosage varies among professionals. Currently, there is no consensus on the role of routine calcium supplementation for pregnant women other than for preventing or treating hypertension. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of calcium supplementation on maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes (other than for preventing or treating hypertension) as well as any possible side effects. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (17 March 2011). SELECTION CRITERIA: We considered all published, unpublished and ongoing randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women who received calcium supplementation versus placebo or no treatment. We excluded quasi- and pseudo-RCTs. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors identified studies for inclusion and extracted the data. Two review authors performed data analysis. MAIN RESULTS: This review includes data from 21 studies (involving 16,602 women). There were no statistically significant differences between women who received calcium supplementation and those who did not in terms of reducing preterm births (less than 37 weeks' gestation) (risk ratio (RR) 0.90; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.73 to 1.11; 12 studies, 15615 women; random-effects model) and also in less than 34 weeks' gestation (RR 1.11; 95% CI 0.84 to 1.46; three trials, 5145 women). There was no significant difference in infant low birth weight between the two groups (RR 0.91; 95% CI 0.72 to 1.16; four trials, 13449 infants; random-effects). However, compared to the control group, women in the calcium supplementation group gave birth to slightly heavier birth weight infants (mean difference (MD) 64.66 g; 95% CI 15.75 to 113.58; 19 trials, 8287 women; random-effects). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: 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.

Key Findings

This review includes data from 21 studies (involving 16,602 women). There were no statistically significant differences between women who received calcium supplementation and those who did not in terms of reducing preterm births (less than 37 weeks' gestation) (risk ratio (RR) 0.90; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.73 to 1.11; 12 studies, 15615 women; random-effects model) and also in less than 34 weeks' gestation (RR 1.11; 95% CI 0.84 to 1.46; three trials, 5145 women). There was no significant d

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population pregnant women
Sample Size 21
Age Range See abstract
Condition hypertension

MeSH Terms

  • Birth Weight
  • Calcium, Dietary
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Low Birth Weight
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pre-Eclampsia
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Premature Birth
  • Prenatal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: cochrane-supplements

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09