Calcium supplementation during pregnancy and long‐term offspring outcome: a systematic literature review and meta‐analysis

Study answer

What this study found

Maternal calcium supplementation during pregnancy showed a possible benefit for offspring blood pressure, but the overall evidence was inconclusive and did not show consistent long-term effects on growth or most other outcomes. In the Argentine trial, high systolic blood pressure in offspring aged 5 to 9 years was lower with calcium than placebo (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.90), while mean systolic blood pressure was not clearly different (MD -1.4 mmHg, 95% CI -3.3 to 0.5). Height and length outcomes were also not meaningfully changed in that trial (MD -0.71 cm, 95% CI -2.38 to 0.95). The…

Study & population

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials in pregnant women, with offspring followed from infancy to childhood in Argentina, the United States, Australia, Egypt, The Gambia, and Brazil.

Intervention

Pregnant participants received oral calcium supplementation, most commonly calcium carbonate at 1500 to 2000 mg/day, started at about 13 to 21 weeks or 20 weeks' gestation and continued during pregnancy.

Key limitation

The evidence was limited by conflicting trial results, high attrition bias, and incomplete follow-up into later childhood.

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Original abstract