Calcium Supplementation in High-Risk Pregnancies: Impact on the Prevention of Preeclampsia

Background: Preeclampsia is one of the hypertensive conditions that significantly increases maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. In populations with poor dietary calcium intake, calcium supplementation during pregnancy has been suggested as an intervention to lower the incidence of hypertensive diseases. Aim: In a cohort of pregnant women, this study sought to evaluate the impact of calcium supplementation on maternal serum calcium levels, pregnancy-induced hypertension disorders, and newborn outcomes. Methods: 120 pregnant women were split evenly between a control group (n = 60) and a calcium-treated group (n = 60). From 20 weeks of pregnancy until birth, the calcium-treated group was given 1.5g of calcium supplements every day. Measurements and comparisons across the groups were made of serum calcium levels, blood pressure, pregnancy problems (preeclampsia and gestational hypertension), and neonatal outcomes (birth weight, Apgar score, and intrauterine growth restriction). Results: Maternal serum calcium levels in the calcium-treated group were considerably elevated by calcium supplementation (p < 0.001). The calcium group saw a decreased incidence of preeclampsia (20%) compared to the control group (33.3%); But calcium supplementation improved newborn birth weight (mean birth weight: 3.12 kg in the calcium group vs. 2.83 kg in the control group, p = 0.01) and significantly decreased the incidence of intrauterine growth restriction (3.3% vs. 15%, p = 0.04). Conclusion: By lowering the prevalence of intrauterine growth restriction and raising birth weight, calcium supplementation during pregnancy improves neonatal outcomes and dramatically raises mother serum calcium levels.