Pregnant women with a low milk intake have an increased risk of developing preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
Several studies have suggested a relation between calcium intake and preeclampsia. In this study, we test the hypothesis that a low calcium intake by milk products increases the risk of developing preeclampsia in The Netherlands, a country where milk consumption is assumed to be high.


METHODS
We conducted a case-control study of 163 women with preeclampsia during 1991-1996. Controls were matched for age and delivery date. Data from cases and controls were obtained by questionnaire.


RESULTS
The mean milk consumption per day was higher in the control group (3.0+/-0.1 units per day) than in the preeclampsia group (2.4+/-0.1 units per day, P<0.01). There was no difference in calcium intake by tablets: eight women (9.4%) with preeclampsia and seven controls (9.3%) used calcium tablets.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows an increased risk of developing preeclampsia associated with lower milk intake.
Duvekot
Ella J
EJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Máxima Medical Center, P.O. Box 7777, 5500 MB, Veldhoven, The Netherlands.
de Groot
Christianne J M
CJ
Bloemenkamp
Kitty W M
KW
Oei
S Guid
SG
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008892:Milk; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors
D002136:Calcium, Dietary