WHO recommendation: calcium supplementation during pregnancy for prevention of pre-eclampsia and its complications

Overview

Improving care for women during pregnancy and around the time of childbirth to prevent and treat pre-eclampsia and eclampsia is a necessary step towards the achievement of the health targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Efforts to prevent and reduce morbidity and mortality due to these conditions can help address the profound inequities in maternal and perinatal health globally. To achieve this, healthcare providers, health managers, policymakers and other stakeholders need up-to-date and evidence-informed recommendations to guide clinical policies and practices.

Evidence

• Hofmeyr GJ, Lawrie TA, Atallah ÁN, Torloni MR.
  Calcium supplementation during pregnancy for preventing hypertensive disorders and related problems. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2018; Issue 10. Art. No.: CD001059.
• Cormick G, Betrán AP, Romero IB, Lombardo CF, Gülmezoglu AM, Ciapponi A, et al.
  Global inequities in dietary calcium intake during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BJOG. 2018; doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.15512.

Other sources

• Buppasiri P, Lumbiganon P, Thinkhamrop J, Ngamjarus C, Laopaiboon M, Medley N.
  Calcium supplementation (other than for preventing or treating hypertension) for improving pregnancy and infant outcomes. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD007079.
• Balk EM, Adam GP, Langberg VN, Earley A, Clark P, Ebeling PR et al.
  Global dietary calcium intake among adults: a systematic review. Osteoporos Int. 2017 Dec;28(12):3315-3324. doi: 10.1007/s00198-017-4230-x.

Country experiences

• India [pdf, 2Mb]
  National guidelines for calcium supplementation during pregnancy and lactation