Calcium supplementation during pregnancy and maternal and offspring bone health: a systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#bone-density #calcium #calcium-dietary #child #dietary-supplements

Calcium supplementation during pregnancy and maternal and offspring bone health: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Tihtonen et al., 2022 | Ann N Y Acad Sci | Meta Analysis

Citation

Tihtonen Kati, Korhonen Päivi, ... Tammela Outi. Calcium supplementation during pregnancy and maternal and offspring bone health: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2022-Mar;1509(1):23-36. doi:10.1111/nyas.14705

Abstract

Insufficient calcium intake during pregnancy may lead to maternal bone resorption and lower bone density of offspring. We evaluated the impact of supplementary calcium with or without vitamin D during pregnancy on maternal and offspring bone mineral density (BMD) and teeth firmness of the offspring. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched systematically in 11 databases. Two researchers independently screened the titles and abstracts of 3555 records and the full texts of 31 records to examine eligibility. The search yielded seven RCTs (11 reports, n = 1566).  No advantage of calcium supplementation was found on maternal BMD after delivery or during breastfeeding, or on offspring BMD, even when dietary calcium intake was low. The results were neither modified by the dose of calcium nor concomitant vitamin D administration. A suspicion of some long-term harm of the intervention on maternal BMD and growth of female offspring was raised based on the data. One study suggested some benefit of high-dose calcium supplementation on offspring teeth firmness at 12 years old. A low number of the studies and abundant missing data reduced the quality of the findings. The impact of calcium supplementation on maternal and offspring bone health was deemed unknown because of inconclusive research results.

Key Findings

The impact of calcium supplementation on maternal and offspring bone health was deemed unknown because of inconclusive research results.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 1566
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Bone Density
  • Calcium
  • Calcium, Dietary
  • Child
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamins

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: calcium-bone

Provenance

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