Randomized, placebo-controlled, calcium supplementation study in pregnant Gambian women: effects on breast-milk calcium concentrations and infant birth weight, growth, and bone mineral accretion in the first year of life.

Study answer

What this study found

Calcium supplementation during the second half of pregnancy did not improve breast-milk calcium, infant birth weight, growth, or bone mineral status. Breast-milk calcium concentrations were similar between groups at L02, L13, and L52, and there was no significant effect on calcium, phosphorus, or the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio at any timepoint or on change over time. Infant birth weight was also similar (3.01 Ȁ 0.37 kg in the supplemented group vs 2.98 Ȁ 0.36 kg in placebo), and DXA outcomes at 13 and 52 weeks were generally similar between groups. There was a signal of slower increase in…

Study & population

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in pregnant women in rural The Gambia with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies and very low habitual calcium intake.

Intervention

Pregnant women received 1500 mg/day elemental calcium as calcium carbonate, given as 3 chewable tablets containing 500 mg elemental calcium each.

Key limitation

The trial was conducted in a single rural Gambian population with very low baseline calcium intake, which may limit generalizability.

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Original abstract