Supplementary calcium in prevention of pre‐eclampsia

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Abstract
Objective:To study the effect of calcium supplementation on reduction of pre‐eclampsia in Iranian women at high risk of pre‐eclampsia.Methods:Thirty pregnant women at high risk of developing pre‐eclampsia were randomized to 2 g of daily calcium and placebo. Subjects and investigators were blinded to treatment allocation. The inclusion criteria were positive rollover test, having at least one risk factor for pre‐eclampsia, between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy, and blood pressure less than 140/90 (mmHg). Exclusion criteria were having any chronic condition. Pre‐eclampsia was defined as systolic/diastolic blood pressure over 140/90 plus proteinuria. All the subjects were followed up to delivery.Result:A sevenfold reduction in the occurrence of pre‐eclamsia were seen among the calcium group compared with the placebo group (7 out of 15 developed pre‐eclampsia in control group vs. 1 out of 15 in calcium group,P=0.014). No major effect on pregnancy induced hypertension was seen (66% in placebo and 76% in calcium group developed hypertension) but the onset of hypertension was delayed 3 weeks in the calcium group. A longer duration of pregnancy was seen in calcium than placebo (mean±S.D.=37±2 for calcium and 34±2 for placebo,PPConclusion:Calcium supplementation is beneficial for preventing pre‐eclampsia among Iranian women at high risk of developing pre‐eclampsia.