Table 2 Impact of calcium supplementation for prevention of PIH and pre-eclampsia on stillbirth and perinatal mortality

Hofmeyr et al. 2007 [17, 188]

Argentina, USA, Australia, Ecuador, India, Egypt, Peru, South Africa, Vietnam.

Meta-analysis (Cochrane) 10 RCTs included, N = 15,103 women.

To assess the effects of calcium supplementation during pregnancy vs. placebo on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and related maternal and child outcomes.

SB or death before discharge from hospital: RR = 0.89 (95% CI: 0.73–1.09) [NS]

Trumbo et al. 2007 [16]

Argentina, USA, Guatemala, Austrália.

Review (FDA). 7 RCTs included, N = 6542 women.

To assess the effects of calcium supplementation during pregnancy vs. placebo on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

PIH: 3 of 7 RCTs showed reduction in PIH with 2 g/day dose, 4 RCTs showed no impact.

Pre-eclampsia: 2 of 5 RCTs showed reduction in pre-eclampsia with 1.8 or 2 g/day dose, 3 RCTs showed no impact.

Intervention studies

Kumar et al. 2009 [19]

India (New Delhi). Lok Nayak Hospital.

RCT. N = 524 healthy primigravidas with a blood pressure of less than 140/90 mm Hg between the 12th and 25th weeks of gestation.

Compared the impact of 2 g of elemental calcium (intervention) vs. placebo (controls) from the time of enrollment to delivery.

SBR: 5/251 (2.0%) vs. 6/273 (2.2%) in intervention and control groups, respectively; P = 0.62.