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Calcium Supplements Offer No Protection Against preeclampsia, Major Review Finds
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A thorough analysis of decades of research reveals that calcium supplementation during pregnancy dose not reduce the risk of preeclampsia, a perhaps life-threatening condition for both mother and baby, challenging long-held medical advice.
For years, healthcare providers have recommended calcium supplements, especially for pregnant individuals with low dietary intake, as a preventative measure against hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. However, a newly published Cochrane review, based on robust evidence from large-scale clinical trials, casts serious doubt on this practice. The findings,released in July 2025,suggest that routine calcium supplementation offers no discernible benefit in preventing this serious complication.
Preeclampsia: A Grave Threat to Maternal and infant Health
Preeclampsia typically emerges in the latter half of pregnancy and is characterized by dangerously high blood pressure coupled with damage to vital organs. The only definitive treatment is childbirth, which may necessitate premature delivery in severe cases to avert fatal consequences. This makes prevention a critical area of focus for maternal health.
The review, conducted by researchers at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, analyzed data from 10 randomized controlled trials encompassing a total of 37,504 participants. These trials compared the effects of calcium supplements – at doses of 500 mg and 1,500 mg – against a placebo.
Re-Evaluating the Evidence
“By applying rigorous and clear methods, we did not find significant differences in key outcomes,” explained a lead author of the study. The researchers emphasized that many previous studies were plagued by methodological flaws, necessitating a thorough re-evaluation to inform current recommendations.
The analysis revealed no significant impact of calcium supplementation on rates of maternal death, premature birth, or neonatal mortality, although the evidence regarding these specific outcomes remains somewhat uncertain. Crucially, the high-certainty data consistently demonstrated that calcium does not prevent the development of preeclampsia.
Publication Bias and the Distortion of Consensus
Previous reviews, according to the study, were skewed by the inclusion of numerous small and unreliable studies. this created an inflated perception of calcium’s protective effects. After systematically excluding these flawed studies and correcting for publication bias – the tendency to publish positive results more readily than negative ones – the apparent benefit of calcium supplementation vanished.
“Our analysis shows that the evidence supporting this practice simply does not hold up,” stated a co-author of the review. “It is indeed crucial for clinicians and policymakers to understand how much the evidence base has changed.”
The Importance of Rigorous Study Evaluation
The authors underscored the importance of critically assessing the reliability of primary research. They employed the TRACT checklist and highlighted similar tools like INSPECT-SR, both designed to identify potentially problematic investigations. This emphasis on methodological rigor is vital for ensuring that medical recommendations are grounded in sound scientific evidence.
The findings have significant implications for World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, which currently recommend daily calcium supplements in populations with low intake. This review reinforces existing doubts about the efficacy of this practice and calls for a reassessment of current recommendations.
the study, “Calcium supplementation during pregnancy for preventing hypertensive disorders and related problems,” is available in the July 2025
