Calcium Supplementation in Pregnancy

Calcium supplementation before and early in pregnancy may help prevent blood pressure disorders, such as pre-eclampsia, a new study suggests.

Pre-eclampsia is a condition characterized by high blood pressure during pregnancy along with protein in the urine. It can cause serious complications for the mother and baby. Pre-eclampsia can decrease the supply of blood and oxygen available to the mother and developing child. This may result in conditions such as a lower birth weight and neurological (nervous system) damage. The mother is at risk for kidney problems, seizures, strokes, breathing problems and even death, in rare instances. The cause of pre-eclampsia is not known. Pre-eclampsia usually occurs during the second half of the pregnancy and affects about five percent of pregnant women.

Researchers from South Africa explained that calcium supplementation during pregnancy may reduce the risk of hypertensive (blood pressure) disorders of pregnancy. For their review, they searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (March 2006) and chose randomized trials comparing at least one gram of calcium daily during pregnancy with placebo. Eligibility and trial quality were assessed. Data were extracted and analyzed using Review Manager software.

Twelve studies (15,528 women) were included. The researchers reported that most women were at low risk and had low dietary calcium. The study found that high blood pressure was reduced with calcium supplementation rather than placebo in 11 trials involving a total of 14,946 women. Pre-eclampsia was reduced in 12 trials involving a total of 15,206 women.

The effect was greatest for women at high risk, as evidenced in five trials including 587 women. The effect was also significant in women with low baseline calcium intake, as seen in seven trials involving 10,154 women.

Researchers noted that there was variability, with less effect in the larger trials. The composite outcome maternal death or serious morbidity was reduced. The syndrome of hemolysis (excessive breakdown of red blood cells), elevated liver enzymes and low platelets was increased. There was no overall effect on the risk of preterm birth or stillbirth or death before discharge from the hospital.

The study authors concluded that calcium supplementation appears to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia and to reduce the rare occurrence of the composite outcome, “maternal death or serious morbidity.” There were no other clear benefits or harms.

The researchers also suggested that adequate dietary calcium before and during early pregnancy may be needed to prevent the underlying pathology responsible for pre-eclampsia. Additionally, the research agenda should be redirected towards calcium supplementation at a community level.

Integrative therapies with strong or good scientific evidence in the prevention and/or treatment of pre-eclampsia and related conditions include omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil, alpha-linolenic acid, coenzyme Q10, hibiscus, Qi gong, stevia and yoga.

Source: http://blog.naturalstandard.com