Effectiveness of calcium supplementation in the prevention of gestational hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

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#humans #pregnancy #female #dietary-supplements #hypertension-pregnancy-induced

Effectiveness of calcium supplementation in the prevention of gestational hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Zhu et al., 2024 | Pregnancy Hypertens | Meta Analysis

Citation

Zhu Qing, Yu Qin, ... Wei Yongqing. Effectiveness of calcium supplementation in the prevention of gestational hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Pregnancy Hypertens. 2024-Dec;38:101174. doi:10.1016/j.preghy.2024.101174

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Gestational hypertension and related disorders, such as preeclampsia, pose significant risks to maternal and foetal health. Calcium supplementation has been proposed as a preventive measure, but its effectiveness remains debated. This review assess the impact of calcium supplementation in prevention of gestational hypertension. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including Scopus, EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, from inception to July 2024. Eligibility criteria included studies involving pregnant women at risk of gestational hypertension, comparing calcium supplementation to control group, and reporting on outcomes such as preeclampsia, pregnancy-induced hypertension, HELLP syndrome, preterm birth, and maternal mortality. Data were analysed using a random-effects inverse-variance model to calculate pooled risk ratios (RRs) and assess heterogeneity using Cochran's Q and I2 statistics. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and Egger's test. RESULTS: 22 studies with 39,270 individuals were included. Most studies had higher risk of bias. Calcium supplementation significantly reduced the risk of preeclampsia (pooled RR = 0.606, 95 %CI: 0.483-0.761, p < 0.001) and pregnancy-induced hypertension (pooled RR = 0.870, 95 %CI: 0.759-0.996, p = 0.044). However, it showed no significant effect on HELLP syndrome, preterm birth, or mortality. Heterogeneity was moderate to substantial across outcomes, and publication bias was detected for preterm birth and pregnancy-induced hypertension. CONCLUSION: Calcium supplementation during pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of preeclampsia and pregnancy-induced hypertension, highlighting its value as a cost-effective intervention for improving maternal health. These findings support integrating calcium supplementation into prenatal care strategies, particularly for populations with low dietary calcium intake.

Key Findings

22 studies with 39,270 individuals were included. Most studies had higher risk of bias. Calcium supplementation significantly reduced the risk of preeclampsia (pooled RR = 0.606, 95 %CI: 0.483-0.761, p < 0.001) and pregnancy-induced hypertension (pooled RR = 0.870, 95 %CI: 0.759-0.996, p = 0.044). However, it showed no significant effect on HELLP syndrome, preterm birth, or mortality. Heterogeneity was moderate to substantial across outcomes, and publication bias was detected for preterm birth a

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 39270
Age Range See abstract
Condition hypertension

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Female
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Calcium, Dietary
  • Calcium
  • Pre-Eclampsia

Evidence Classification

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

Provenance

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